Recently, the role of artificial intelligence in education has become a contentious topic of debate. To provide new insights into this ongoing struggle, three staff writers and ChatGPT were asked to write a paragraph in response to this prompt: “Why should AI NOT be used by students at Friends Seminary?” Each writer brings a unique perspective to the issue, but one of these paragraphs is not like the others… Can you guess which of the following paragraphs was written by AI?
Response 1:
The usage of Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or even Grammarly should not be allowed in schools. Although the technology is growing increasingly convenient, it goes directly against the goal of academic institutions – for students to learn and grow. In subjects like English and History, where a main component of the class is students writing essays or response papers, AI poses a serious threat. The purpose of writing in humanities classes is for students to learn how to write and analyze information effectively, but using AI renders these assignments basically pointless. Relying on AI is not only detrimental to one’s academic growth, it is also not reliable. The coding behind AI’s processing can lead to wrong answers. When asked how many “r”s are in the word “raspberry,” AI services like ChatGPT and SnapChat AI will almost always say two. Depending on possibly wrong answers is not a good situation for any student. Although using AI is as easy as clicking a few buttons, it directly harms students. which is why it should not be allowed in school.
Response 2:
The potential harm of artificial intelligence (AI) is a very popular topic of discussion, and has become increasingly relevant as the technology improves in areas like text recognition and content generation. While critics point to the ways AI makes it easier to spread and create misinformation or cheat on written work, one of the most important issues with the use of AI is how it affects students’ creative thinking and ability to generate ideas. Many students rely on AI as a tool to complete schoolwork and to help with brainstorming ideas. However, this can do more harm than good, according to research conducted by Sabrina Habib, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. In a recent study, Habib asked college students to brainstorm the uses of a paperclip, first with, and then without, generative AI. While students felt that the use of technology helped them think of ideas, they viewed it as the “easy way out” and that it hindered their ability to produce creative ideas of their own. They also mentioned that, after seeing the ideas proposed generated by AI, they became fixated upon those suggestions. Additionally, participants in this study questioned the originality of ideas produced by AI, as generative AI recycles existing content rather than formulating new ideas. Based on this study, the impact of AI on the creativity of students is concerning, as it affects their ability to think creatively. Therefore, its use in schools must be closely monitored and should not be used as a means of brainstorming unique ideas.
Response 3:
Using AI in schools can lead to several problems that might hurt students’ education. One concern is that it could stop students from thinking for themselves. While AI can help answer questions or explain things, relying on it too much might prevent students from learning how to solve problems on their own or think critically. Education should teach students to think deeply and analyze information, not just use technology to do the work for them. Another issue is cheating. Students might use AI to complete assignments or write essays without actually understanding the material, which means they miss out on the learning process. There’s also the problem of fairness: not every student has the same access to AI tools. Some schools, especially those with less funding, may not be able to provide the latest technology, leaving some students at a disadvantage. Finally, using AI in the classroom can raise privacy concerns. Many AI systems collect data about students’ work, and there’s a risk that this data could be misused or not properly protected. These issues show that while AI might be useful in certain situations, using it too much in schools could hurt students’ ability to learn, create unfair advantages, and put their privacy at risk.
Response 4:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be utilized in any context relating to school and education. When a student uses AI for their schoolwork, it is detrimental to their learning, as it disregards an opportunity for them to further advance their knowledge, as is the intention behind school assignments. In addition to this, the usage of AI is also disrespectful to teachers and peers. While using AI may seem like an individual choice, the decision so quickly spreads out to affect a slew of other people. Teachers devote significant time, effort, and care to their students, constructing lesson plans and assignments aimed at advancing their students’ learning. When a student uses AI to help with their schoolwork, that student is disrespecting that teacher by not reciprocating the level of effort and interest in coursework. This act is also disrespectful to other students who are devoting time and energy to fully engage with their assignments as they were intended, through genuine, human responses.
Answers: Response 1—Rachel Moldowan, Response 2—Skylar Willard, Response 3—ChatGPT, Response 4: Zizu Frank
