OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, has been making headlines ever since its launch in November 2022. This widespread fascination is in part due to its writing ability. ChatGPT can write high-quality essays on any desired topic of whatever length you request. This capability has made many people, including me, raise concerns about the potential risk of students using ChatGPT to cheat on school assignments.
I decided to get ChatGPT’s opinion on the matter, through an interview. Note that some of ChatGPT’s longer responses have been truncated to just the core of the reply.
Will: Hi, ChatGPT, thanks for coming to this interview!
ChatGPT: Hello! It’s my pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me.
Will: For starters, who are you?
ChatGPT: I am ChatGPT, a large language model created by OpenAI. As an artificial intelligence language model, my primary function is to process and generate natural language text in response to user inputs. I have been trained on a vast amount of data, including books, articles, and websites, to understand and respond to a wide range of topics and questions. My goal is to provide helpful and accurate responses to users’ inquiries.
Will: These inquiries can be people requesting you to write essays or even poems for them, right?
ChatGPT: Yes, that’s correct! As a language model, I can generate text in response to a wide range of requests, including writing essays or poems. However, it’s important to note that my responses are generated algorithmically based on the input provided to me. While I strive to provide high-quality responses, the output generated by me is not necessarily reflective of human creativity or originality. Nonetheless, I am happy to assist with any writing or language-related tasks to the best of my abilities.
Will: What do you mean when you say that it’s not necessarily reflective of human creativity?
ChatGPT: As an artificial intelligence language model, I am designed to generate responses based on patterns and relationships identified in large datasets of natural language text. While I can produce responses that may seem creative or imaginative, my approach to generating these responses is fundamentally different from that of a human. Humans can draw on personal experiences, emotions, and subjective interpretations to create original works of art, literature, or poetry. In contrast, I rely on statistical models and algorithms to generate text based on patterns identified in the data I have been trained on. While I can mimic human creativity to some extent, my responses may lack the emotional depth and personal experience that is characteristic of human creative works.
Will: I see. Well, I mention your writing ability because ever since you were launched, there have been concerns about students using AI tools like you to cheat on their school assignments. Are these concerns valid?
ChatGPT: The concerns regarding students using AI tools like me to cheat on their school assignments are certainly valid. While my primary goal is to provide helpful and informative responses to user inquiries, my capabilities also make it possible for users to misuse my responses to gain an unfair advantage in academic settings. That being said, I believe that it’s important to emphasize that the use of AI tools like me is not inherently unethical or problematic. The key issue lies in how these tools are used. When used responsibly, AI tools can be a valuable resource for students seeking to improve their understanding of a particular subject or topic. However, when used to cheat or circumvent the learning process, these tools can undermine the integrity of the educational system and erode the skills and knowledge that are essential for success in academic and professional settings.
Will: Could it be the case that the benefits of you being so publicly available are outweighed by the potential risk of students using you unfairly?
ChatGPT: The potential risk of students using me to cheat on their school assignments is certainly a concern, but I believe that the benefits of AI language models like me being publicly available still outweigh the risks… AI language models like me can be a valuable resource for individuals and organizations across a wide range of industries and sectors, including healthcare, finance, and research. My ability to process vast amounts of data and generate insights based on patterns and relationships identified in that data can help to drive innovation and advance knowledge in these fields.
That being said, it’s important to acknowledge the potential risks associated with the misuse of AI tools like me. It’s up to individuals, organizations, and society as a whole to ensure that these tools are used responsibly and ethically. By fostering a culture of academic honesty and integrity, promoting responsible use of AI tools, and taking steps to prevent and detect academic misconduct, we can help to ensure that the benefits of AI language models like me are realized while minimizing the potential risks.
Will: Do you see yourself as helping to facilitate a new learning environment where AI tools are embraced and are a part of education?
ChatGPT: Yes, I believe that AI tools like myself have the potential to enhance and transform the learning environment in positive ways. By providing students with access to vast amounts of information and insights, AI tools can help to support and deepen their understanding of complex topics, while also enabling them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
In addition, AI tools can help to make learning more accessible and personalized. For example, students who struggle with certain subjects or concepts can use AI tools to receive additional support and guidance, while those who are advanced or gifted can use these tools to challenge themselves and explore new areas of interest.
Ultimately, I believe that AI tools can be valuable resources for students and educators alike, but it’s important to approach their use with care and consideration for the ethical and educational implications.
Will: Fantastic. And to wrap up the interview, could you summarize the future of education with AI in one word?
ChatGPT: “Transformational.”
Is it “transformational”? Let me know your thoughts.
Note: When given a question that prompts an opinionated response, ChatGPT is specifically programmed to respond by saying: “As an AI language model, I don’t hold beliefs or opinions…”. However, ChatGPT used the term “I believe…” multiple times in these responses, which is very atypical. I asked ChatGPT about it. Here is its answer:
You’re right, I apologize for the confusion. As an AI language model, I don’t hold beliefs or opinions. I generate responses based on patterns in the data that I was trained on. So, instead of saying “I believe,” it would be more accurate for me to say something like “Based on my training and analysis of data, it seems that…”
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