The invention of the ChatGPT chatbot by San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company OpenAI was meant to aid teaching and learning. However, controversies surrounding the tool’s reliability, acceptance, and implementation have left many people and institutions in a dilemma. While some scholars support the use of ChatGPT as a tool to enhance teaching and learning, others have requested a ban, arguing it promotes cheating and other unethical issues. South Africa, in particular, grapples with poor education standards, where eight in 10 children struggle to read by the age of 10. Thus, the implementation of ChatGPT without proper guidance would lead to more enhanced cheating than teaching and learning.
The chatbot, if used unguardedly, would result in a monumental cost. It is incapable of promoting critical thinking, which is a crucial aspect of learning’s efficacy. The adoption of ChatGPT is capable of making teachers less creative in the discharge of their duties, while relying heavily on the chatbot. It poses ethical concerns on bias and discrimination, lack of privacy and security of data, manipulation, and misuse, among others. ChatGPT cheats the disadvantaged who lack access.
To consider using ChatGPT in the country, policies revolving around its use should be made to serve as a guide to all users – teachers and pupils inclusive. Adequate monitoring measures should be put in place to ensure that teachers still perform their functions. Ethical issues would be considered, and an over-reliance of teachers and pupils on the chatbot would be discouraged. Students should be oriented periodically on the use of and the need for less reliance on the chatbot. Thus, periodic enlightenment on issues bordering around ChatGPT should be discussed with them.
If the adoption of ChatGPT is well-guided, provides access to both rural and urban pupils, ethical issues are considered, and adequate monitoring is put in place, the tool can be useful for enhancing teaching and learning.
