ChatGPT, an AI language tool, has been making headlines recently for its impressive abilities to write essays and answer exam questions. While some educators are embracing the tool, others are concerned about the ethical challenges it presents in the education sector. Universities and school boards have considered their responses to students’ use of ChatGPT, with some states in Australia blocking its use in schools and colleges in the United States putting preventative measures in place. One of the major concerns is the tool’s potential for plagiarism since traditional referencing mechanisms would not suffice for text produced by AI language models. As the use of AI language tools is not going away, educators need to embrace the technology and become active participants in shaping its integration into pedagogy, while also addressing the ethical challenges it presents. Microsoft has recently announced that it will invest $10 billion into the further development of ChatGPT, with plans to incorporate the technology into its Office application package, used worldwide for word and number processing.
The University of Johannesburg associate professor, Prof. Lisa Otto, agrees that institutions need to embrace AI language tools and begin shaping best practices to prepare students for the future workforce.
Steps:
1. Consider the ethical challenges of AI language tools in the education sector.
2. Educate students on how to use AI language tools in a way that assists their thinking process while avoiding plagiarism and acknowledging the tool’s use.
3. Address the practical elements of integrating AI language tools into pedagogy while ensuring learning is not compromised.
4. Embrace new technologies like AI language tools and become active participants in their development to shape their integration into pedagogy.
5. Develop best practices for the use of AI language tools in education to ensure they are used ethically and effectively.
Microsoft has recently announced that it will invest $10 billion into the further development of ChatGPT, with plans to incorporate the technology into its Office application package, used worldwide for word and number processing.
Prof. Lisa Otto, a University of Johannesburg associate professor, agrees that institutions need to embrace AI language tools and begin shaping best practices to prepare students for the future workforce.
