OpenAI’s push to bring its ChatGPT platform into colleges has raised concerns among educators, who point to the tool’s history of providing false information and undermining critical thinking skills.
Several top universities, including the University of Maryland, Duke University, and California State University, have signed up for OpenAI’s premium service, ChatGPT Edu. The company envisions its chatbot serving as a personal tutor, teacher’s aide, and career assistant to help students navigate their academic and professional lives.
However, some experts argue that relying on AI in education can erode critical thinking skills and lead to misinformation. A study found that reliance on AI can produce false information and hallucinated cases, making it “unacceptable” and “harmful for learning.” This trend is particularly concerning when considering the long-term impact of AI chatbots on social skills.
As universities integrate AI into various aspects of student life, they are also neglecting areas that foster human interaction and emotional intelligence. A simple question answered by a chatbot lacks the nuance and context provided by a human tutor or peer, potentially hindering students’ ability to establish connections and develop a sense of community.
While companies like OpenAI and Google offer free access to their AI tools during exam seasons, educators caution that this push into higher education is misguided. The focus on technology-driven solutions may undermine the core goal of university education: to equip students with critical thinking skills and encourage lifelong learning.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/openai-wants-to-get-college-kids-hooked-on-ai-2000612915