Artificial Intelligence: Writing New Possibilities

Before artificial intelligence was used to write entire essays, it was writing Seinfeld episodes and speeches in the style of (in)famous politicians. In a more practical vein, it helped us finish our text messages when we forgot what we wanted to say and assisted users who struggled with English grammar through programs such as Grammarly. Open AI, the creator of ChatGPT, is equally famous for Dall E, a program that generates images based on text prompts. This has allowed users to depict themselves as superheroes, princesses, or whatever their heart desires with some well-crafted prompts and a photo of themselves. 

This generative ability, paired with a capable, creative user, makes AI a powerful tool. While we will most certainly have to rethink academic honesty and how to check for plagiarism thanks to ChatGPT, we can also use it—and other AI software currently in development—to enrich students’ learning experiences. Below are a few ideas of how you can start using text-based AI in your classroom: 

Data Literacy and Dialogue 

In a time when students are inundated with information, evaluating that information and its sources becomes crucial. ChatGPT has garnered a reputation as the “eager intern,” meaning that it gathers information from a variety of sources, and it can mimic others’ style effectively. However, when pressed to produce original thought or discuss a nuanced topic, it sometimes misses the mark. 

Using an AI-generated text that discusses a topic you have covered, ask students to evaluate its accuracy or respond to it in the way they might respond to another student in a discussion. Students could provide screen captures of conversations with the AI that show what kind of clarifying questions they asked to arrive at a desired result. If students were to respond to an AI-generated discussion post, they could also practice conducting a respectful dialogue about difficult topics in a safe environment. 

The Importance of Procedure 

The capacity to outline and follow procedures accurately proves invaluable in both academic and practical settings. If a student misses a closing tag in their code or skips a step when building their IKEA furniture, things can fall apart quickly.  

Although AI software is rapidly advancing, its performance depends on the user creating the prompts. According to Jessi Lynn, ChatGPT “may generate plausible-sounding yet incorrect or nonsensical responses if given ambiguous or unclear instructions.” In fields such as physical sciences, where incorrect procedures can result in real explosions, AI provides an easy-to-understand—and much safer—illustration of how attention to detail and clear procedures can alter your results.  

Scenario-Based Learning 

When learning complex concepts such as negotiation, ethics, or marketing, students at Bentley benefit from the opportunity to use them in a low-stakes environment. The instructor can observe and assess as students engage in complex scenarios, and students can attempt to do so without fear of grave, real-life consequences, such as harm to others or potentially losing a job. 

It's hardly a secret that people learn best by doing, but writing realistic scenarios that achieve student buy-in and incorporate necessary concepts can be difficult and time-consuming. Like any other generative project that utilizes AI, you should review the scenario and alter it to suit your class. However, generating a fully-developed text as a starting point means you can present scenarios more quickly and more often.  

The inspiration for this article came when I was watching John Oliver’s segment on artificial intelligence. In one scene, Erik Brynjolfsson predicts that professionals will not be replaced by AI, but those who partner with AI may replace those who do not. Utilizing its capacities, while building an awareness of its limitations, will allow you as an instructor to focus on creating quality content while familiarizing yourself further with tools that are here to stay and will be a key part of students’ future careers. 

Last Week Tonight: Artificial Intelligence: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxE06hK67kEu_oDKAbJTKnBEFzCiB125t_ 

Jessi Lynn (Organized Chaos Creatives): “Delivering Clear and Specific Prompts to ChatGPT.” Medium. https://tinyurl.com/48hmhdmu