As we talk about using generative artificial intelligence in the classroom, remember, you are in control. The programs we are talking about are just tools. Using them effectively and honestly is up to you.
Cautions and Considerations with generative AI
Using AI comes with several cautions and considerations. It can help you work efficiently, brainstorm ideas, work through roadblocks, and provide information. But, there are things to keep in mind.
- AI isn't perfect, it can only look through data it has access to through its dataset or the internet
- This can lead to bias as many sources online are from a single point of view.
- Some AI are limited to only using data that is over 2 years old.
- AI doesn't "Fact Check"
- When Large Language Model (LLM) programs, such as ChatGBT and Gemini, pull information from the internet, they use common sources but don't check facts against scholarly sources. Some AI programs, such as Consensus, may look through scholarly sources, but the information found isn't reviewed for accuracy.
- AI hallucinations
- When Large Language Model (LLM) programs, such as ChatGBT and Gemini, create more complicated responses, they can fill in gaps of information with something incorrect or show a created example just to demonstrate the proper formatting.
- For example, if you ask a LLM program to write a 15 page paper on Gun Control; there is a good chance some of the information cited in the paper is made up. You need to have a flow of information to write an actual paper. If the LLM program can't find the needed information, it just makes it own as an example. This can lead to creating false journals, newspapers, stories, and may even include making up people and cities.
Effectively using Artificial Intelligence
With all the cautions listed above, you might ask yourself Why should I even bother using AI? When used correctly, there are some great benefits to using these tools and for those benefits, AI is being quickly adopted into every profession.
Think of it this way, setting a calculator on the table won't solve a math problem for you, but when you know how the problem needs to be solved and you know how to use the calculator, you can work out the answer quite quickly.
Artificial Intelligence is quickly being incorporated into every type of career. Learning how to effectively and honestly use AI is a skill we will all need.
