Depending on how it is used, ChatGPT borders the line of ethics. Despite this ethical dilemma, ChatGPT should play a role in education in limited circumstances.
Using ChatGPT is unethical because it defeats the purpose of assignments that require creative, individual work. It is the latest concern for teachers and professors because it creates an easy cheat method for students. However, ChatGPT can also act as a tutor and help students’ academic pursuits.
A former Observer article was centered on using ChatGPT as a writing tool for assignments. The issue with this comes from the AI’s ability to recalibrate algorithms to sound more human-like, making it more difficult for instructors to detect cheating. The more AI is used by students, the better it imitates a student.”
If a student uses ChatGPT to write an essay for them, they are lying to a professor about it being their own writing. It is plagiarism, because it is AI’s work instead of a student’s words.
One New York Times (NYT) article discusses the use of ChatGPT for writing college application essays. It references two differing NYT articles which lead to the same argument: Should ChatGPT be banned or embraced?
AI is ultimately unavoidable, at this point. ChatGPT is available for anyone, and its growing use only trains it to become more human. You may want it banned, but it’s just not possible.
There are positive outcomes for embracing ChatGPT in education. Rather than YouTube videos, ChatGPT could serve as an ‘AI tutor’ for students in specific subjects. With the endless knowledge of AI, students could receive instant help and explanations on certain assignments or problems they are struggling with.
I think with technological advancements, the use of AI in mathematical-based subjects or problems is just one way to utilize available resources. Outside of the classroom, the greater focus shifts to if things get done, opening the door to using AI for activities such as brainstorming. not how they get done. If AI can be used as a resource in the professional world, it should be available as a limited resource in academics.
One professor I had at Augustana devoted a class discussion to ChatGPT with the intent that it is out there and free to use, so we should take advantage of it. A different professor of mine has another approach, stating if any work is suspected of the use of AI or ChatGPT, the student will receive an automatic zero and be reported to the Honor Council for plagiarism.
Using ChatGPT to complete assignments is not okay, but to use it for help on a problem or two is acceptable. There are limitations to how ChatGPT should be used in education.
Because of the ambiguity that comes from the use of ChatGPT in the classroom and the unclear nature between student and AI, ChatGPT should only be used as a tutoring aid and nothing more.