By Alfredo Roman Jordan, Staff Columnist
Alfredo Roman Jordan (Photo Will Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
In an era defined by technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has woven itself into the fabric of our daily existence, revolutionizing every aspect of society. Yet, its integration into education has been met with a mix of apprehension and skepticism. It is no secret that over the summer, a predominant concern among professors was figuring out how to incorporate generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude, into their syllabi. The prevailing sentiment among faculty seems to be that generative AI poses the most significant threat to the integrity of the classroom in 2023 by providing an easy avenue for students to cheat.
I often use AI as my peer, being useful for things like peer reviews and mind mapping. The ability of AI to analyze large texts quickly and accurately makes it an invaluable tool for reviewing written work. It can provide immediate feedback on grammar, syntax, and style, and even suggest ways to improve clarity and coherence. This helps in refining the content before sharing it with human peers for further feedback. Additionally, AI-powered tools can assist in organizing thoughts and ideas through mind mapping. These tools can help in visualizing the connections between different concepts, making it easier to understand and remember complex topics. AI is a helpful companion in the learning journey that’s available instantly and 24/7. How is using ChatGPT any different from using a service provided by the college, such as the Writing Center?
Similarly to how I often lean on AI for tasks like peer reviews, I’ve found that it’s become a go-to buddy for my creative endeavors too. We’re all human, right? We have those days where our minds feel like they’re trudging through mud. When you’re facing the daunting prospect of sketching out an essay for the fifth time in the same week, it feels like you are attempting to scale the steepest of mountains without any gear. At moments like these, the allure of a helping hand, even a digital one, becomes impossible to resist. Using AI doesn’t mean that I am any less committed or creative; it is simply another tool in my arsenal to help navigate the waves of academic fatigue and to ensure that every project gets my best effort. If consulting with a friend would not be looked down upon, why should consulting ChatGPT?
In the ever-evolving academic and professional landscape, those who aren’t tapping into the potential of AI might find themselves lagging behind in the race to assimilate and manage vast amounts of information. It’s undeniable that we live in an age of informational overload. Every day, students and professionals alike are bombarded with new data, studies, and materials to absorb. AI tools, with their swift data analysis, offer a lifeline.
For instance, AI can condense extensive articles or research into concise summaries, ensuring that users grasp the crux without being drowned in the superfluous details. This isn’t just a boon for students racing against assignment deadlines, but also for professionals juggling tight schedules and competing priorities. Not leveraging AI’s ability to streamline information processing is akin to choosing the long way around in a marathon. The tools are here, ready to be used; embracing them ensures we stay in stride with the accelerating pace of our modern world.
Additionally, generative AI is a tool that is already changing the world, with banks estimating that by 2030 it will add $15 trillion in value to the global economy. In our workplaces we will need to use AI for speed and efficiency, it can analyze Excel files and large documents, and not using it would be like not using a calculator in math.
To conclude, AI is not the enemy of academia. Instead, it is a tool that we will need to adapt to for both present and future use. The faculty and administration should encourage students to use AI as our companion and peer, and push Gettysburg College into a new era of technological advancement.
This article originally appeared on page 11 of the October 2023 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
