Chat AI and Education: Initial Thoughts

Pandora’s box is open… again. Since the dawn of human civilisation, technological advances have changed the way that humans live and behave. From the invention of the wheel to the internet, innovations are typically met with a mixture of excitement and fear. Much like the innovations of the past, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots is about to create a seismic shift in the status quo, the way it will change education is likely to be profound.

What does the chatbox “think”?

To illustrate the power of this technology, I asked for an AI chatbot to write a post that matches the very title of this article. The text below is what it generated in the blink of an eye:

“Fear not the inevitable march of progress, says the AI chatbot. The development and implementation of AI technology in various industries, including education, can be seen as a daunting and even scary prospect. However, it’s important to understand that the integration of AI chatbots into the education system is simply the next step in the evolution of technology in the classroom.

AI chatbots are not here to replace human teachers, but to support and enhance the learning experience for students. They provide instant feedback and access to vast amounts of information, allowing for personalised learning experiences. Chatbots can also assist teachers in grading, providing feedback, and monitoring student progress, freeing up more time for them to focus on other aspects of their job.

Furthermore, the use of AI in education can also help to bridge the digital divide, providing equal access to education for students regardless of their socioeconomic background or location. This technology can also be utilised to make education more accessible for individuals with disabilities.

It’s understandable to have concerns about the integration of AI in education, but it’s important to recognise the benefits it can bring. The use of AI chatbots in education is simply a continuation of the march of progress, and we should embrace it as such. By doing so, we can create a future in which students have access to better resources, personalised learning experiences, and improved opportunities for success.

In conclusion, the integration of AI chatbots into the education system should not be feared, but rather embraced as an opportunity to enhance the learning experience for students and support the work of teachers. The inevitable march of progress should be celebrated, as it brings with it the potential for improved educational outcomes for all.”

Wow.

The prospect that a piece of software could generate such an articulate and insightful string of text would have seemed inconceivable to me only a few months ago. Yet here I sit, watching it before my very eyes. The cat is well and truly out of the bag. Now we must all figure out how we can use this technology and how we must adapt to a world that may change quickly as a result of its introduction. I think that it is fair to say that the days of asking students to write essays outside of the classroom are now over as an AI chatbot can create a unique answer to most questions that will achieve top marks almost instantaneously.

Are there any positive opportunities for education?

So what should we be excited about in the education industry as a result of AI chatbot technology (answer courtesy of an AI chatbot)?

“AI chatbots have the potential to revolutionize education by providing personalized, on-demand learning experiences for students. It can help students access information and get answers to their questions quickly and accurately, without having to wait for a teacher or peer to be available. Additionally, AI chatbots can be integrated into educational software and platforms to assist in the creation of interactive learning materials, quizzes, and assessments.

Moreover, AI chatbots can provide a conversational interface for students to practice their language skills and receive instant feedback. This technology can also be used to help educators in grading, providing feedback and monitoring student progress.”

What should we be afraid of?

What should we be fearful of (answer courtesy of an AI chatbot)?

“Lack of human interaction: AI chatbots is an AI language model and cannot replace the personal connection and human empathy that teachers provide in the classroom.

Limited understanding: AI chatbots have a vast knowledge base, but it operates within certain parameters and may not always have the ability to fully understand context and provide nuanced answers.

Bias and accuracy concerns: AI chatbots are trained on vast amounts of text data, and therefore may perpetuate existing biases and inaccuracies in that data. It’s important to critically evaluate the information it provides and to have human oversight to ensure accuracy.

Dependence on technology: Reliance on AI chatbots for educational purposes may result in students becoming dependent on technology rather than developing critical thinking skills and learning how to find information independently.

Cost: Integrating AI chatbots into education may require significant investment in technology and training for teachers and staff, which may be a challenge for some schools and universities.”

The AI chatbot seemed to think that we should not fear the inevitable march of progress (I suppose it would say that…).

Final (human) thoughts

I believe that we should be excited about this new technology and use it to the best extent that we can. We may be fearful about the impact of this technology on our lives but we should try to direct this emotional reaction into adapting quickly to make way for it and to keep some of its downsides in mind. Although all of the downsides it identified are valid, the one that concerns me the most is the “dependence on technology”. I believe that this technology has the power to replace a vast quantity of research and writing that is currently performed without this assistance. If we start to outsource too much research and content generation to the AI chatbot it is possible that we may start to lose our ability to do this for ourselves.

I remain equally fearful and excited about this technology. Perhaps that is what the people dragging heavy objects felt about the wheel too though. On we march!