Artificial Intelligence

We’ve explored various forms of information including: books, eBooks, databases, Google, Google Scholar, videos, and podcasts. Let’s take some time to examine a rapidly emerging source of information: artificial intelligence.

What is artificial intelligence?

The video below, from Eye on Tech (2020) explains what artificial intelligence is and what it can do. While watching, ask yourself:

• What is artificial intelligence? How would you explain it to a friend or family member?
• What are some of the concerns with artificial intelligence?

We already use artificial intelligence in our daily lives. Can you think of any examples? Take a minute to brainstorm, and then explore the examples below.

Recent Advancements in Artificial Intelligence

Lately, artificial intelligence tools have been featured heavily in the news media. A lot of attention has been draw to ChatGPT, an AI-powered chat bot that has been trained on a massive amount of data, enabling it to generate human-like text.

• What do you know or have you heard about ChatGPT?
• Why do you think educators might have concerns about this new technology?

Watch this video from How It Happened (2023) for an explanation of what ChatGPT is and how it works. You’ll also learn about image generating artificial intelligence such as Dall e 2.

As discussed in the video, artificial intelligence chat bots, such as ChatGPT, have limitations:

• Limited knowledge: Chat bots rely on pre-programmed responses and algorithms, which means they have limited knowledge and cannot provide answers to every question.
• Lack of context: Chat bots may not be able to understand the context of a question or the nuance of a conversation, which can result in inaccurate or irrelevant responses.
• Inability to handle complex requests: Chat bots may struggle to handle complex requests or tasks that require human intuition or creativity.
• Lack of emotional intelligence: Chat bots lack emotional intelligence, which means they cannot read emotions or respond to emotional cues in the way that humans can.

Chat bots can be a useful tool for certain tasks, but they should not be relied upon as a substitute for human knowledge and expertise.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence for my academic work?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a source of information. For example, you can look up a wide range of topics in ChatGPT as it has been trained on a diverse set of text sources. However, you must approach the information provided critically as AI can provide inaccurate or irrelevant information.

Like all tools, there will be times when you can and cannot use artificial intelligence. It is important that you follow the guidelines outlined by your instructor. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing, and we are all learning and adapting together. If you are ever not sure of your responsibilities as a student, please ask your instructor.

If you use artificial intelligence when it is not permitted or allowed by your instructor, that is cheating. ACC Policy A25 states:

Cheating is the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:

• Any use of books, texts, notes, calculators, applications, artificial intelligence, electronics, websites, programming code, computers, communication, and conversation with others that are restricted or forbidden during academic exercises
• Copying on tests or final examinations
• Acquiring a portion of assigned academic work from another person or source, or acquiring a copy of or information about a test or exam

Do not use artificial intelligence when is not allowed, as this can result in sanctions. Please read Policy A25: Academic Integrity for further information.

When you are permitted to use artificial intelligence in your coursework, it is expected that you provide attribution (acknowledge you used it). Your instructor may also ask you to explain how you used it. Your instructor will provide guidelines on how they expect you do this. If you are not sure, please ask.