New challenges

Letter April 29, 2023
New challenges

KARACHI:

A new artificial intelligence (AI) application of OpenAI called ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) has gained immense popularity because of its ability to produce texts like the ones generated by humans. It has been observed that ChatGPT can, in many cases, correctly answer questions relevant to different subjects. It can generate compelling and accurate answers to complex questions requiring an advanced analysis, synthesis, and application of information.

Academic integrity, trustworthiness, and a sense of responsibility are lost once ChatGPT is used to generate a text. It is marketable cheating. Nevertheless, it is accessible to all and provides user interaction options. With the inherent biases, many responses can be developed, out of which the most appropriate may be selected. Many academics have said that they might have to stop giving essays as assignments. But there is also a need for more tools to identify people using AI software.

Instead of rooting out ChatGPT, academia should reassess its vital components and how these can be utilised. The challenge should be how this technology is incorporated and applied efficiently and responsibly. There are tools such as AI Text Classifier that can assess text generated by AI. Some academics have suggested that academic misconduct policies should be revised while others have suggested that the new technology should be listed as a co-author. These differences in opinions indicate the tricky nature of the issue. Academics must realise that as technology continues to advance, they will need to confront emerging challenges and accept changes.

Dr Intikhab Ulfat

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2023.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.