Key takeaways
- Integrate ChatGPT into classrooms to enhance student success and support innovative research.
- Utilize AI for personalized tutoring and creative study aids in various subjects.
- Address prior concerns of academic dishonesty by collaborating with faculty on AI usage guidelines.
- Recognize ASU as the first university to partner with OpenAI for educational purposes.
- Adapt to evolving technology as universities shift from banning to embracing generative AI tools.
Recently, OpenAI partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to integrate ChatGPT into its classrooms. The main aim of the university is to enhance student success, foster innovative research, and streamline organisational processes.
The college said that the use of generative AI on campus will be guided by the faculty members and the ChatGPT usage will begin in February for the project submissions. ASU said that some professors already use AI in composition and journalism classes, and chatbots may even serve as personalised tutors.
The university further plans to use ChatGPT Enterprise to develop AI avatars as a “creative buddy” for studying certain subjects, like bots that can sing or write poetry about biology, for instance.
Interestingly, this is the first instance of a university partnering with OpenAI. When ChatGPT was launched, many universities across the globe banned it, citing concerns that students were using it to copy their assignments. Professors implemented various AI detection tools to identify plagiarised submissions, however, it didn’t turn out to be a foolproof solution as the detectors weren’t accurate.
ChatGPT Enterprise for Education
In the latest episode of 'Unconfuse Me with Bill Gates,' OpenAI Chief Sam Altman pointed out that healthcare and education are among the key areas he is excited about using ChatGPT.
A recent survey found that 30% of college students used ChatGPT for schoolwork during the 2022-23 academic year. While the specific number of universities using ChatGPT is not provided, it is clear that the technology has made a substantial impact.
The move by Arizona State University to use ChatGPT Enterprise might act as a catalyst for others to follow suit. Although the concept of an AI tutor is not new, ChatGPT Enterprise has made the creation process much more accessible. OpenAI's recent launch of the GPT Store allows users to craft personalised GPTs using their own data.
Considering the abundance of data within universities, including notes, lectures, presentations, and quizzes, professors can harness this information to develop customised GPTs for specific subjects. This, in turn, assists students in resolving their doubts and queries effectively.
ChatGPT Enterprise will provide students as well as educators with a number of advantages. It will offer aid with research, writing, tutoring, learning, ideation, brainstorming, language translation, programming, virtual office hours, accessibility support, professional development, and fast responses to frequently asked questions.
A user on X wrote, “Digital professors can factually explain subjects without emotion or most cognitive biases, giving students room to form their own opinions,” saying that virtual instructors won’t harass, intimidate, or judge students. Moreover, AI mentors can spend hours with every student to help with homework, research, creative inspiration, writer’s block, time management, motivation, budgeting, etc.
In addition to these advantages, ChatGPT Enterprise may assist with language translation, facilitating communication and comprehension between many languages.
It can also aid students studying computer science or programming by addressing coding issues, troubleshooting, and helping them comprehend difficult ideas. For example, Khan Academy’s Code Tutor helps students expand their coding skills.
ChatGPT Enterprise can further assist students in drafting their college application essays. For instance, a student recently created a GPT called University Application Advisor that helps with university applications. However, it doesn't actually write essays but only provides feedback.
OpenAI took a step last year to address the overlooked teacher segment. The initiative involved the announcement of a new guide, enabling teachers to effectively utilise ChatGPT in classrooms. OpenAI provided prompts and various examples to guide teachers on making the best use of ChatGPT in teaching students.
Dr. Helen Crompton, Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University, encourages her education graduate students to use ChatGPT as a stand-in for a particular persona—like a debate partner who will point out weaknesses in their arguments, a recruiter who’s interviewing them for a job, or a new boss who might deliver feedback in a specific way.
OpenAI’s partnership with Arizona State University is just the beginning. If other universities come out with similar announcements, it wouldn’t be a surprise, considering the benefits of AI in education.
