Superintendent Clarifies Stance on ChatGPT: "Not Going to Hide From..."
Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin addressed the press conference last Friday regarding the implementation of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot that generates human-like responses, in PAUSD schools. ChatGPT has been quite popular throughout schools in the United States, but many schools decided to ban its usage due to concerns over student cheating. According to Austin, PAUSD will be embracing the new AI as it recognizes the potential to improve learning outcomes and efficiency.
Embracing Emerging Technologies and Innovative Approaches
PAUSD is committed to promoting transparency with AI usage, following in the footsteps of schools and universities such as Stanford, which also uses AI technology in its classrooms. Austin mentioned that he met with several vice presidents of Stanford University to discuss how the university is handling the use of ChatGPT. According to this conversation, three groups are currently handling the situation: ignoring the issue entirely and continuing with business as usual, restricting the use of ChatGPT and returning to traditional essay methods, and the third group, which is the way of the future, requesting teachers and professors to explain how they used AI in the preparation of their submission.
ChatGPT's Potential as a Classroom Tool
English 9A and AP Language and Composition teacher Hunter Reardon suggested that ChatGPT could be used as a classroom tool to gather ideas for a jumping-off point. According to him, ChatGPT usage would be projected on the screen, and students would be working on adding their original spins on the prompts generated. According to Austin, this innovative approach to learning would require a shift in the idea of what academic cheating looks like.
Welcoming the AI in the District Office and Paly English Department
Austin mentioned that he has already implemented the use of ChatGPT himself and within the district office. He uses it for checking the tone of the content and making revisions. Furthermore, he has encouraged everyone within the district office to start using it for brainstorming purposes. PAUSD's open stance towards ChatGPT is a view that many Paly English teachers have come to agree with as well. They have discussed the matter and have realized that ChatGPT poses no significant concern.
Direction for Future Decision-making
Austin stated that PAUSD's welcoming stance towards ChatGPT is a direction for future decision-making in education. He believes that the future of AI in education will require further discussion to enact any specific policy. PAUSD has formed an ad-hoc committee dedicated to AI, beginning in the fall.
Austin concluded that although AI like ChatGPT is not perfect, it will certainly shape the future of education. PAUSD aims to embrace emerging technologies and innovative approaches towards education. "This is not an, 'Everything is great about it [AI],'” Austin said. “It’s just that we’re not going to hide from it [AI]."
