Article: Artificial Intelligence is Here

A smiling robot holds a vase with flowers and a tray with donuts and coffee, the image is AI generated.

by Timothy Hoeck, Instructional Designer III, Learning and Educational Center

Every day new Artificial Intelligence (AI) stories are in the news, on social media, and in your email promoting new “AI-driven” products. Ever since the public release of ChatGPT in November 2022, (OpenAI, 2022), machine learning and generative artificial intelligence have taken the technology world (and our lives) by storm. Competition in the market has increasingly grown with Google’s Bard, and the introduction of Microsoft Bing (ChatGPT vs. Bing vs. Google Bard: Which AI Is the Most Helpful?, n.d.). Users feelings of AI adoption range from excitement to concern (Americans Growing Anxious as AI Adoption Expands, Pew Research Finds, n.d.).

More than likely, you have been unable to avoid hearing about AI, but do you really know what it is? How will it affect education, your job, your life?

What is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are sometimes used interchangeably, but it is important to understand the difference.

Machine Learning, a subfield of AI, is the process of using mathematical models of data to help computers learn without direct instruction. Artificial Intelligence is the capability of a computer system to mimic human cognitive functions such as learning and problem-solving, (Artificial Intelligence vs. Machine Learning | Microsoft Azure, n.d.).

In short, Machine Learning is the process of training computers to problem solve, providing them with instruction sets, algorithms, or substantial amounts of data that allow them to discover answers or solutions. The models developed from this training can then be used by AI applications that humans interact with.

We are particularly interested in Generative AI because it affects us now and in the immediate future. Generative AI (also referred to as gAI), are AI systems that allow users to interact with, and generate content, including text, images, videos, voices, and more.

Meta has already announced that some of their AI models will be integrated into their popular software such as Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp soon (Introducing New AI Experiences Across Our Family of Apps and Devices | Meta, n.d.). Our students are already familiar with these tools, and we should be prepared to develop guidelines for their use.

What can AI Generate?

Various AI models specialize in the types of content it can generate. DALL-E or Midjourney, for example, are known for their ability to generate incredibly life-like images. It may generate text, images, video, computer programming code, and more.

Most generative AI software begins with a text prompt from the user. After receiving a response, the user is able to revise or clarify their needs through additional prompts, and content might be regenerated or adjusted to meet the user’s needs.

The industry is regularly looking for ways to introduce AI to help with all sorts of complex, lengthy, or repetitive tasks.

How will Machine Learning and AI affect Higher Education?

How do we decide how to effectively use these technologies? How do we avoid educational pitfalls?

Anytime innovative technology tools are introduced, it can complicate the education landscape. For AI, this means new tools are available to students that could help them study more efficiently or provide them with a way to cheat and/or shortcut their assignments.

AI can generate full documents, summarize historical events, create art – in simple terms, ‘Complete your homework for you’. At least this may be how some students perceive it.

In recent workshops, the LEC has suggested you address this head-on with your students, and have outlined a few suggestions on how to accomplish this:

  • Inform students you are aware of AI’s capabilities, and that AI detection tools exist.
  • Develop an AI policy for your course, include it in your syllabus along with a dedicated page or module in your course content where plagiarism and citation are discussed, even in individual assignments where necessary.
  • Have open discussions with students about AI use in class or on a discussion board, at the beginning of the course or at relevant portions.
  • Discuss its ethical use, plagiarism and citation, or its potential in research fields and leisurely use

Consider that much of the software students use may already be making use of AI for spelling, grammar, image and video enhancements or other refinements of their work.
The biggest takeaway in using AI, even for research purposes, is to understand that this technology is in its preliminary stages. It can and has been inaccurate, misleading, or can provide downright incorrect information. Just as you should when researching, its work should be double, and triple checked.

Think about the types of content you ask students to submit, and research what kind of AI tools are available for it. Our colleague Walter Milner wrote an excellent article on Harnessing generative AI tools for Assignments, Assessments, and Activities.

LEC Resources

The LEC recently finished the Teaching & Learning Conference for 2023 and there are a number of excellent presentations and discussions on AI available for review:

The Learning and Educational Center has already held several workshops and discussions, ranging from Ethical considerations, response to using AI for essay generation, and how to talk to students about generative AI:

Additionally, the LEC has hosted a series of fireside chats, directed at various generative AI topics:

LEC’S Virtual Friday Fireside Chats: Generative AI for Teaching & Learning

 

Have you tried AI?

It’s very apparent that AI and Machine Learning will become a major part of everything we do. Like the introduction of computers, or mobile devices into our lives, this is a giant leap forward in technology. How we will interact with and use AI to simplify complex or lengthy tasks is not fully realized, but you can already tell AI to ‘create a painting in the style of Rembrandt,’ or just as easily tell it to ‘write me an essay on the Great Depression’.

If you haven’t already, you should experience using generative AI tools, and decide how to process the information it can create.

ChatGPT

https://chat.openai.com/auth/login

Google Bard

https://bard.google.com/

Bing Image Creator

https://www.bing.com/create

Bing Image Creator uses DALL-E 3 to generate images based on descriptions.

Most AI applications have limitations, based on the data that is available to them. ChatGPT, for instance, is trained on data only up to a specific date in time, so while it does not know recent or current topics, it has a broad spectrum of knowledge prior to its date limit.

References

Americans growing anxious as AI adoption expands, Pew Research finds. (n.d.). Engadget. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from https://www.engadget.com/americans-growing-anxious-as-ai-adoption-expands-pew-research-finds-204500137.html

Artificial Intelligence vs. Machine Learning | Microsoft Azure. (n.d.). Azure.microsoft.com. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/artificial-intelligence-vs-machine-learning

Introducing New AI Experiences Across Our Family of Apps and Devices. (n.d.). Meta. September 27, 2023, https://about.fb.com/news/2023/09/introducing-ai-powered-assistants-characters-and-creative-tools/

OpenAI. (2022, November 30). Introducing ChatGPT. OpenAI. https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

ChatGPT vs. Bing vs. Google Bard: Which AI Is the Most Helpful? (n.d.). CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/chatgpt-vs-bing-vs-google-bard-which-ai-is-the-most-helpful/