Letter of the Day | Should teachers use AI tools they forbid students ...
Shortly after Open AI released ChatGPT to the general public on November 30, 2022, by January 2023, there were over 100 million users around the world. The search engine Bing from Microsoft was powered with Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technology, which made that search engine more attractive to users. These were clear indications that the business of education, if nothing else, would be greatly affected.
From then, educators have been urged to understand Generative Artificial Intelligence better so they can effectively guide their students in the ethical use of Chatbots like ChatGPT. However, a concerning trend has emerged where educators are willing to use these AI tools for their own preparation and research but prohibit their students from doing the same in their assignments. Some even go as far as using plagiarism detectors to identify AI usage in student work, despite the detectors not being entirely accurate.
The Double Standard in Education
Students are now starting to voice their concerns about this double standard. They are unhappy with their teachers using artificial intelligence tools while simultaneously forbidding the students from doing so. This conflicting approach is causing tension in the classroom, with reports surfacing of college professors using ChatGPT to grade assignments, much to the dissatisfaction of students. An article in the New York Times titled ‘College professors are using ChatGPT. Some students aren’t happy’ sheds light on this growing issue.
Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World
It is essential for educators at all levels to not only utilize AI tools themselves but also to educate and guide students on the ethical use of these tools in education. By mastering AI technology, educators can better prepare students to navigate a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, often complemented by quantum computing.
