In a dystopian view of the world, technological determinism can be considered as the primary culprit when it comes to the diminution of the meaning and value of living. In a life that is purely controlled by computer systems, the will of the individual takes a backseat while those with corporate interests would be the most powerful because they have the means to finance and direct research on Artificial Intelligence (AI). But what is AI?
Neural systems are computer networks that mimic the human brain. Artificial intelligence is the way a computer copies the function of the human brain. Deep learning is the process in which computers think like the human brain. It is a subset of Machine Learning, which came into development as early as the 1940s. ChatGPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) is a Large Language Model that can generate content from a large set of data that it is instructed or trained to interpret. By asking questions, ChatGPT can give a structured response to its user.
As one of the most recent advances in AI that was developed by the company OpenAI, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm and with its exponential growth everywhere, there are big consequences to a lot of things, especially in the way human beings interact with each other. Algorithms do the same when it comes to our behavior online. While ChatGPT is clearly useful in the corporate world, there are issues and ethical concerns when it comes to its utilization in the academe.
ChatGPT threatens the future of learning, but I don’t think ChatGPT should be absolutely banned in schools. With the right policy, students can utilize it as an assistive technology that can help them understand complex questions and topics. Students have many ideas that need to be organized and ChatGPT can help them structure their arguments and organize their thoughts. ChatGPT should be regulated in such a way that the academe can take advantage of its good points and qualities.
The question, in this regard, goes beyond science. It is a matter of policy. Modern technology will advance whether we like it or not and our inability to adapt will mean that we will again be left behind. ChatGPT should be accepted as a useful tool for students to overcome language barriers. Of course, students cannot just lift in toto the answers to exam questions from ChatGPT because that would be cheating. Plagiarism is a grave violation of another person’s intellectual work.
Learning is a process that involves the critical dimension of the brain as well as our experiences which a chatbot will not be able to give. In this way, while a neural system can mimic the brain, it does not have the power of human consciousness. ChatGPT responds to questions that it is trained to answer but it does not have the rigor of scholarly research. Nevertheless, it is a valuable deep learning system because imagine having an assistant to organize all the things you need to know out of a big library that contains billions of pages of information.
Another aspect that must be looked into is the concept of digital divide. The gap between affluent and poor societies is made manifest in the area of access to online technology. Education is crucial in the progress and development of societies and the realization of the good life. ChatGPT is an advantage on the part of the developed world while it can be a source of abuse if not regulated appropriately. In this way, what is crucial is for policy makers will look into the social, political, and economic factors that can impact its use.
Modern technology, and indeed, AI will define our future as humans. When Deep Blue 2 defeated Gary Kasparov, nobody said the computer cheated against the monster with 27 eyes, which was how the chess world champ was then described by chess enthusiasts. ChatGPT helps calculate, predict and even formulate arguments. In this way, the issue is not about why but how this AI technology can be applied to improve learning in schools in the same way as the internet has changed the world in a dramatic fashion.
