Sacramento State University is currently discussing how to address the presence of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot used to compose written material. Tom Carroll, the university’s Student Conduct Administrator, has suggested to students to avoid plagiarism while using ChatGPT. Mark Mina, a third-year interior architecture major believes that Sac State should update their policies and make students aware of the risks of using chatbot applications like ChatGPT. Angelica Lopez and Shalveen Bains, both students at Sac State recognized that although the chatbot can help with the writing process, there is potential for misuse.
ChatGPT is an AI powered chatbot with the ability to generate written material. It has had an immense rise in popularity recently with universities and students around the world looking for alternatives from traditional research sources. The emergence of this technology has posed challenges for universities to regulate use and modify existing policies for the safety of students.
Tom Carroll has stated that ChatGPT is not authorized to be used to write a paper. Although there are challenges to this, if the appropriate use is followed, there can be potential benefits to ChatGPT. Angelica believes that AI tools can be used as sources or providing examples while Shalveen believes it should not be allowed in any capacity.
Tom Carroll also said that Turnitin which is a plagiarism tool utilized, would likely uncover any instances of plagiarism or AI written work making it difficult for students to successfully get away with it.
At this time Sac State is not anticipating AI to take over students’ work and encourages students to follow the existing policies and consult with the professors for further instruction on how to properly use this tool.
The emergence of chatbot technology, especially ChatGPT, could potentially open up new opportunities to help students organize their research and drafts of their work. But as with all new technologies, there are risks that must be discussed and understand in order for it to be used effectively.
