Problems with generative AI in education

Student gebruikt Chat GPT op zijn laptop

This article explores the ethical and practical issues of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is important for teachers to be aware and prepare students for this new reality. In doing so, it is important to realise what the problems with generative AI are, so that thorough awareness can be created and students and teachers can handle this new technology responsibly.

The role of the university goes beyond teaching technical knowledge. Students must be equipped not only with the skills to handle generative AI, but also with ethical awareness. It is not enough that they understand how to use this technology; they must also consider its ethical and societal implications. Generative AI carries undeniable risks, from databias to privacy issues and the possibility of abuse. By being aware of these issues, the university can not only improve its own approach to generative AI, but also effectively convey this knowledge to its students.

Ethical dilemmas

Practical challenges

Conclusions

This article is intended to inspire teachers to not only be aware of the issues surrounding generative AI, but also to actively contribute to shaping an ethically responsible future with this technology. 

It is important not to ban it (completely) in your teaching, but to pay attention to responsible use. A good way to do this is by talking to students. Point out the various problems to them. How do they think it should be used? What is allowed and what is irresponsible. For this, it is important to look closely at the learning objectives of a subject. The moment a subject's learning objective is to improve writing skills, then it is irresponsible to allow the use of generative AI. But if the learning objective of a subject is to understand certain concepts then generative AI can actually play a role in facilitating the comprehension. Provided it is used properly. Be sure to engage in conversation with other teachers and students about this.

Sources

[1] https://www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2023/hoeveel-water-en-energie-gebruikt-uw-favoriete-chatbot~v974828/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
[1] https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2477186-kunstmatige-intelligentie-vreet-stroom-een-opdracht-hetzelfde-als-een-uur-een-lamp-aan
[1] https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
[1] https://www.trouw.nl/welkom-in-de-ai-fabriek/in-no-time-is-de-chatbot-tot-een-nazi-getraind~b7fe1349/?
[1] https://www.trouw.nl/welkom-in-de-ai-fabriek/in-no-time-is-de-chatbot-tot-een-nazi-getraind~b7fe1349/?
[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/chatgpt-openai-content-abusive-sexually-explicit-harassment-kenya-workers-on-human-workers-cf191483  
[1] https://decorrespondent.nl/14173/waarom-chatgpt-geen-racistische-viespeuk-is-dankzij-een-stel-kenianen-voor-twee-dollar-per-uur/088588ff-d840-069c-3494-7f07eeeda042   
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/02/ai-chatbot-training-human-toll-content-moderator-meta-openai   

Further sources
https://www.trouw.nl/welkom-in-de-ai-fabriek/in-no-time-is-de-chatbot-tot-een-nazi-getraind~b7fe1349/?referrer=
https://www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2023/hoeveel-water-en-energie-gebruikt-uw-favoriete-chatbot~v974828/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
https://time.com/6247678/openai-chatgpt-kenya-workers/ 
https://decorrespondent.nl/14173/waarom-chatgpt-geen-racistische-viespeuk-is-dankzij-een-stel-kenianen-voor-twee-dollar-per-uur/088588ff-d840-069c-3494-7f07eeeda042 
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/02/ai-chatbot-training-human-toll-content-moderator-meta-openai  https://www.wsj.com/articles/chatgpt-openai-content-abusive-sexually-explicit-harassment-kenya-workers-on-human-workers-cf191483 

Book:
Chatting with Napoleon (Barend Last & Thijmen Sprakel, 2022)

Contact

Do you have any questions on this topic? Send an email to generatieve-ai@uu.nl

Authors