Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have piqued a great deal of interest – including among Northwestern University faculty members. With this in mind, the Office of the Provost hosted a webinar in early March to discuss ChatGPT, an AI technology. The virtual gathering saw around 200 participants from the Northwestern community.
Kathleen Hagerty, the Provost, opened the discussion by highlighting the potential impact of ChatGPT on teaching and learning. Responding to potential questions or concerns, the Office of the Provost created the Generative AI Advisory Committee, bringing together a multi-disciplinary team of experts to look at the implications of AI and its integration into the Northwestern University community. The Advisory Committee has also created a list of AI tools, upcoming events and resources for further information.
The webinar put AI experts into conversation with Northwestern faculty members to discuss the impact of ChatGPT. Kristian Hammond, Professor of Computer Science, was particularly excited about the technology, noting the ability to make data comprehensible to everyone in different ways. Sarah Lawsky, on the other hand, cautioned that AI cannot replace traditional attorneys, or reach the same level of accuracy. Elizabeth Lenaghan, Director at the Cook Family Writing Program, argued that AI lacks the human touch and nuance to craft truly expressive writing. On the other hand, she believes AI can be a helpful co-pilot to streamline the writing process. Finally, Jennifer Keys, Senior Director at the Searle Center, believes integrating ChatGPT into educational contexts offers an opportunity to help students understand the capabilities and limitations of AI.
The presence of ChatGPT in the academic sphere brings both opportunities and questions. With the help of the Generative AI Advisory Team, Northwestern university will navigate these challenges in the coming months.
