Generative AI Tools at the College

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At the College, we understand that generative AI tools like Chat-GPT are becoming more commonly used by students in their thinking, planning and in their classrooms.

Our starting point is that generative AI tools are incredibly helpful tools - but, we need to make sure students know how to use these tools appropriately and ethically.

Two key messages were shared with students this week:

1. Don't use AI tools, unless your teacher lets you

2. If in doubt, just ask!

Despite AI tools being able to generate facts really quickly, our students need to know how to determine fact from fiction and to be able to think deeper about their learning.

Concerning Consequences

Researchers from MIT in the USA have been looking at some of the consequences of high AI usage for learners. We echo some of these concerns for some of our students. These students are typically under-prepared for assessments.

• Chat GPT users:
  - typically gain facts, but do not develop deep content knowledge or understanding.
  - long-term memory is at risk of being under-developed.

• Grammarly users:
  - typically leave any critical thinking about what and how they are communicating to the AI.

So, AI use is prolific in many pockets of our society. It is here to stay, for now. We need to be mindful of it's pitfalls, consequences and it's benefits.

Maintaining academic integrity and high expectations of student outcomes are very much core to our beliefs in assessment. Your child's teacher will be explicit what and how AI can and cannot be used in the classroom. Students need to genuinely demonstrate their own knowledge.