AI-generated writing could cause academic challenges

We hear more and more about it every day, artificial intelligence. Now educators are looking at the potential challenges AI writing bots might have in the classroom.

“If we don’t address this properly in the classroom, we’ll have a lot of problems in our hand as educators within K to 12 settings in public and private schools but also at the higher education level,” said Dr. Joanna Black, faculty of education at the University of Manitoba.

“If students use this then the potential is there for them to lack literacy skills if they rely on it, lack critical thinking skills, lack communication skills.”

AI-generated writing, like ChatGPT, is becoming increasingly popular. Ever since the website launched last fall, Black says more students have been using it to write their assignments.

“My concern is that it’s the first time that it computer generated using that software, where the students plug in a research title like, ‘let’s look at the environment in Winnipeg’ and then a whole essay can come up,” explained Black.

“Now if the student beside them plugs it in, and the student beside them, and they put in the exact same words they get a different text. It’s impossible to look at plagiarism as a result of that.”

Despite Black’s concerns, another professor whose research focuses on AI says it’s better to embrace the new technology than to avoid it.

“It’s also a human achievement. Its not that we should start thinking that machines are some external entity. AI is an extension of humanity,” said Dr. Ahmed Ashraf, department of engineering ar the University of Manitoba.

Ashraf says he understands the sensitivity around the subject, but just like most new things, it can eventually become part of a thriving society.

“When the camera came out people were resistant, artists thought it was going to kill their job, but what happened is that the artist became more creative, humans became more creative,” he explained. “Maybe we will be teaching students a different level of creativity, precisely because of these tools.”

A statement from the University of Manitoba on AI-generated writing says, “the current academic misconduct policy is still applicable when it comes to generative AI resources such as ChatGPT.”

Adding, “UM’s Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) is monitoring and investigating how such artificial intelligence platforms can support student learning and engagement. As well, we are also diligent in learning more about how this technology could affect student assessment and assignments.”