Whether it be Shakespearian analysis, English essays, or a haiku, Chat GPT has it covered.
Since its release on Nov. 22, 2022, Chat GPT has reshaped the educational landscape, creating a new genre of cheating, according to the New York Times.
The bot’s creator describes it as an “AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations.”
Chat GPT may sound simple, but its effect on education is far from it, with schools across the world being forced to respond. In Piedmont, distrcit administrators have been working to implement ways to work with ChatGPT, instead of against it.
“The District is currently researching AI to understand the opportunities new technology may bring to teaching and learning. Currently, the district does not block Chat GPT and other AI tools,” Superintendent Doctor Jennifer Hawn said.
Despite its potential uses, teachers have had to specifically ban use of AI in syllabi, in order to ensure the work students turn in is their own.
“We agreed over the summer that we were going to put a statement in our syllabi that any use of AI would be considered an act of academic dishonesty. Even if it’s just generating ideas, it’s still inherently plagiaristic,” English teacher Doctor Elise Marks said.
“It was definitely weird hearing Dr. Marks talk about [AI when going through her syllabus]. It felt almost surreal that it had gotten to the point where the whole English department had to take a stance on it,” senior Jack Cramer said.
According to Forbes, the technology has drastically increased within the last few years, and rapid advancement is expected.
“It’s pretty exciting to think about what it will look like in the future,” junior Bede Levin said.
Some students at PHS have begun to take advantage of the AI to aid them in studying.
“If you’re super confused, AI can point you in the right direction. It’s been helpful for when I’ve been completely lost, like studying for a test or a big project,” Sanchez said.
The bot can also help students in other ways.
“I used it in APUSH last year to ask me practice questions before a test,” Cramer said.
School districts across California have been beginning to integrate the correct use of AI into the curriculum according to the University of Southern California.
“There is some indication that personalized learning for students can be enhanced by AI, but we are still learning all of the potential opportunities to enhance teaching and learning. In general, I think technology, including AI, will be a positive influence on teaching and learning,” Hawn said.
