Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries all across the globe. From chatbots to AI algorithms, it is taking over the world of technology, and schools are adapting to this change. Over the past few years, AI has played a major role in education. One of the most common examples of the expanding role of AI is that students have been using it to assist them in their classes.
Using artificial intelligence to help with schoolwork can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on how it is being used. It can be used as a study resource or to understand a topic. This can provide aid to students. However, using chatbots like ChatGPT for a majority of the work can prove to be extremely harmful. Students need to learn how to use AI as a tool in their lives without any threats of over-relying on it.
Across the many classes that Lambert offers, AI can be used in various ways for different tasks. For example, students in the healthcare pathway may benefit from using AI to simplify research, create practice questions and understand complex topics.
“I see a benefit to using AI to do initial research to come up with a topic, for instance, when I give a research paper, I say, you can use AI to come up with a novel idea and gather sources,” Biotechnology teacher Mrs. Catherine Sharer said. “But all of the writing and the thought processes should be original because the AI makes mistakes and partly because if you don’t continue to learn how to write and learn how to process information, you won’t be able to do it.”
Using artificial intelligence to do simple tasks, such as giving relevant information based on a topic, can help save time and energy. By using this, students can increase efficiency. However, it is important for them to check the information and make sure it’s correct. As advanced as AI can get, it still makes mistakes and it is crucial to double check the data.
AI can also be helpful as a study resource. When students do not have study resources available to them, a simple alternative can be to use a chatbot to create practice tests or quizzes.
“I’ve had a lot of students use AI,” ELA teacher Ms. Sara Shepherd explained. “Especially with more complicated stories, like the ‘Odyssey’ or ‘Romeo and Juliet’, they used ChatGPT and other resources to study, and they found it to be very beneficial.”
Doing this can increase productivity because students do not have to look for study materials. Additionally, AI can give answers too, which can help students see what they got wrong and identify their weaknesses. Even so, they should check the information for accuracy to make sure that the AI is correct.
However, as beneficial as AI can be, it can also be equally as harmful. As artificial intelligence’s role is increasing in students’ lives, it’s important to be aware of the problems that come with it. This includes over-reliance, potential misinformation and cheating.
“I think that in English, because we’re so writing heavy, my biggest concern is the replacement of knowledge because I think a lot of careers use it [AI],” Ms. Shepherd said. “And I think that when you are young and you’re in your formative years, it’s very dangerous to not acquire the necessary skills.”
One of the biggest concerns educators are worried about is over-reliance. When students use AI to complete assignments, they refuse to use their own knowledge. They will not have the ability to do this task when it comes up again. This can lead to AI replacing people and intelligence which is extremely dangerous. Additionally, a study done by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that the constant use of ChatGPT can actually have negative consequences, such as lack of originality and not having the ability to complete tasks without technology. In school, it’s crucial to ensure that AI is being used only as a tool and not as the main source of information.
Despite all the harms that come with AI, many industries are integrating it because of the positive impacts.
“I’m trying to understand better how to utilize it,” Mrs. Sharer said. “I do think there’s a lot of power to it and every field is incorporating AI.”
If used in the right way, AI can be a powerful tool. From using it in industries to classrooms, AI is making huge changes in how society functions. The possibilities are endless and correctly utilizing it can lead to a better future for everyone.
