ChatGPT is a powerful language model developed by OpenAI that can be used for a wide range of natural language processing tasks. One of the most notable features of ChatGPT is its ability to generate human-like text, which presents a range of potential benefits and considerations for higher education. The emergence of ChatGPT and other sophisticated AI tools has been a hot topic in the higher education sector recently – let’s take a look at what it is and what it might mean for us.
We asked ChatGPT to help us author this post by contributing its own perspective on what it is and what it can do:
ChatGPT is a powerful language model developed by OpenAI that can be used for a wide range of natural language processing tasks. One of the most notable features of ChatGPT is its ability to generate human-like text, making it a valuable tool for tasks such as language translation, text summarization, and conversation simulation.
One potential use case for ChatGPT in a university setting is as a virtual writing assistant for staff and students. By inputting a prompt or question, ChatGPT can generate a coherent and well-written response, helping staff and students to quickly compose emails, reports, and other written communications.
Another use case for ChatGPT is in the field of language education. ChatGPT can be used to generate practice exercises and quizzes for students, as well as to provide personalized feedback on their writing. Additionally, ChatGPT could be used to assist with language translation, making it easier for university staff to communicate with students and colleagues who speak different languages.
Overall, ChatGPT is a versatile and valuable tool that can be used in a variety of ways to support the work of university staff. Its ability to generate human-like text can help to automate tedious writing tasks, and its language processing capabilities can assist with language education and translation.
This response highlights that ChatGPT has some valuable potential as a tool for staff, and as a tool for students – there are some powerful ways that AI can help improve our day to day experience and streamline our work. However, there has also been a lot of focus on the implications of this type of tool in assessment design and assessment integrity, and around other aspects such as ethics and policy. It’s a complex topic that requires looking at from a range of perspectives.
DigEd and Education Futures more broadly have been exploring both the potential benefits of ChatGPT as a tool and the implications for assessment design, and will continue to monitor this rapidly evolving space to provide further guidance and a space for discussion. We will also be exploring opportunities for events and initiatives with academic areas – keep an eye out for further information on these.
Aaron Driver (Business School) has put together a presentation for unit coordinators, summarising the challenges and opportunities around generative AI such as ChatGPT. It’s a really useful discussion starter from an academic perspective, and worth taking the time to watch.
For some further reading, here are some recent articles that capture the range of thinking on ChatGPT and AI more generally across the sector:
- ABC explainer: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-08/artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-chatbot-explained/101835670
- A Guardian article on the impact on exams: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jan/10/universities-to-return-to-pen-and-paper-exams-after-students-caught-using-ai-to-write-essays
- More from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/07/chatgpt-bot-excel-ai-chatbot-tech
- Bryan Alexander’s resources for exploring ChatGPT and Higher Ed – https://bryanalexander.org/future-of-education/resources-for-exploring-chatgpt-and-higher-education/
- Chrome extensions for ChatGPT with YouTube which summarises videos – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-summary-with-chat/nmmicjeknamkfloonkhhcjmomieiodli/related
- Eleven ways you can use ChatGPT to write code – https://typefully.com/svpino/11-ways-you-can-use-chatgpt-to-write-code-YnkOEF4
- Montclair State University’s advice for teaching staff about assessment design – https://www.montclair.edu/faculty-excellence/practical-responses-to-chat-gpt/
Give it a go yourself to see what it’s all about: https://chat.openai.com/chat
NB: This post was co-written by ChatGPT