In Nov. 2022, the emergence of the advanced algorithm ChatGPT took over the internet. From essay writing to solving differential calculus, this technology is a calculator, human mind, and professor combined into one. Despite the worldwide commotion and excitement over this new platform, responses to this technology haven’t been entirely positive. Many have bashed ChatGPT for prompting misuse and academic dishonesty in the classroom. However, instead of banning the use of the technology, students and teachers should take advantage of the platform’s educational opportunities.
As quickly as it gained traction, the platform became popular among high school and middle school students looking for an easier way to complete their schoolwork. Expectedly, students have begun using the platform to cheat on their homework assignments and exams, such as math worksheets and writing assignments. Essays, in particular, have become commonly plagiarized from the chatbot’s ability to write full-length paragraphs.
“I think cheating with ChatGPT is dumb because it isn’t your honest work and it doesn’t help you in any way. It is better to write your own work because you can improve your own writing,” said Milena Telegina, a sophomore at Oxford.
Teachers are rightfully skeptical, but when applied appropriately, ChatGPT may transform the premise of higher education. Students can provide their essay outlines and theses in return for additional ideas and key points, which could then be used to put together a more nuanced argument. The technology may save time and promote efficiency by summarizing long articles and generating data reports for students to refer to. Additionally, the platform is a great tool for students to generate test practice questions, receive personal feedback and constructive criticism, and quickly find information without having to search millions of web pages.
It should be noted that ChatGPT, although advanced, isn’t perfect. The automated responses may seem intelligent at first glance, but long essays and reports may have weak arguments, awkward grammar, bias, and false information. Keeping this in mind, an advanced algorithm may never be able to compete with the creativity and uniqueness of a knowledgeable student. In comparison to the bland and mostly unreliable writing of a robot, students can work towards writing more professional and nuanced pieces of work.
“In the case of AI, don’t ban it for students — or anyone else for that matter; leverage it to create an educational model that starts with the assumption that content is free and the real skill is editing it into something true or beautiful; only then will it be valuable and reliable,” Ben Thompson, a business analyst and author of the blog Stratechery, said.
With less user error and the right application, ChatGPT has the potential to shape the development of the technological future ahead. Any advanced platform is subject to misuse, but that should never be a reason to limit the scope of future societal advancements.
