ChatGPT is incredibly limited, but good enough at some things to create a misleading impression of greatness. it’s a mistake to be relying on it for anything important right now. it’s a preview of progress; we have lots of work to do on robustness and truthfulness.
Sam Altman, CEO OpenAI. Twitter 12/10/22.
As Artificial Intelligence continues to advance, it is no surprise that it is making its way into education. Chat GPT, or Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is an AI tool that has gained much attention in the past few months. Chat GPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that is capable of generating coherent and grammatically correct sentences. Even though its goal is to create an artificial general intelligence system that is “safe and useful” or to assist others in doing so, and its potential for educational use is significant, the implementation of Chat GPT into college education is not without controversy.
Pros and Cons of Chat GPT
The capacity of Chat GPT to offer students a tailored education is one of its most important benefits. Students may receive assistance from Chat GPT by asking questions, receiving comments on their work, or even having papers written for them. Students may receive immediate assistance using Chat GPT without waiting for a professor’s response. This can be especially helpful in bigger classrooms when teachers might not have enough time to answer all of the issues raised by the students. Yet too much assistance for students might pose a serious risk to educational institutions.
There are also several drawbacks to using Chat GPT in college education. One of the most significant concerns is that it may discourage critical thinking skills. Students may rely too heavily on Chat GPT for answers rather than thinking critically and finding solutions on their own. This could lead to a generation of students who lack problem-solving skills, which are crucial in the workforce. Also, this leads to more and more plagiarism among students’ projects, and as that number increases, it will be increasingly difficult to distinguish which work is original and which is generated by AI.
Possible Threats?
The likelihood of biased replies in Chat GPT is another possible concern. Chat GPT might give biased replies if it was not programmed with a varied variety of facts. This could perpetuate existing stereotypes and prejudices, which would be detrimental to a learning environment. Also, Chat GPT could be a security issue. The credibility of the educational system may be harmed if students use Chat GPT to cheat on homework or tests. Students who decide not to utilize Chat GPT may suffer as a result since they will not have access to the same degree of support. Of course, educational institutions are currently fighting against this by prohibiting the use of ChatGPT over school Wi-Fi or, for example, by using software to detect AI Content. The question arises whether all this is necessary and how can we use the benefits of ChatGPT without abusing it?
What Colleges Fear the Most When It Comes to Chat GPT?
One of the possible fears colleges have when it comes to Chat GPT is that it will replace professors. If Chat GPT can provide personalized education, answer questions, and even write papers, what is the need for professors? However, it is important to note that Chat GPT cannot replace the human connection that professors provide. Professors are more than just sources of information – they are mentors, advisors, and advocates for their students.
Chat GPT is best suited for subjects that are based on facts and rules, such as math or science. It may not be as effective for subjects that require interpretation and analysis, such as literature or history. Its biggest flaw is that it does not have a personal opinion and can generate everything based on its database. However, looking into the further future, Chat GPT represents a serious threat to both professorial and other professions. By expanding its database and “learning” people’s habits and suggestions, AI has the power to remember more than humans and implements this knowledge much faster.
“For” and “Against” Implementing Chat GPT Into Education
There are valid arguments for and against implementing Chat GPT into college education. Proponents argue that Chat GPT can provide personalized education, facilitate collaborative learning, and improve student outcomes. Opponents argue that it may discourage critical thinking skills, reinforce biases, and undermine the integrity of the educational system. I fully support the use of Chat GPT in education but in normal quantities. I believe it is very important to have a measure and not to overdo the use of this software because it can lead to the loss of work habits and opinions and the potential threat of creating plagiarized content.
On the other hand, Chat GPT can be used for many ideas and guidelines in education. For example, ask the software if you are unsure what topic to write for a research paper. “Hey, Chat GPT, list possible topics for the Anatomy class research paper and explain why and which would be the best.” This is just one example of how smartly you can use this software. You didn’t ask him to write your paper, but to guide you and suggest ideas if you don’t have them at that moment. As long as Chat GPT is used for such purposes, I consider it harmless and a beneficiary for education.
In conclusion, Chat GPT is a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize education. However, it must be used carefully and thoughtfully to avoid potential drawbacks. Chat GPT should be used as a supplement to, not a replacement for, traditional education. It is up to colleges and educators to determine how best to use Chat GPT to enhance the educational experience for students.
Pavle Ristic 
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