What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) that uses a conversational natural language processing (NLP) model created by OpenAI. ChatGPT has made a large impression in many fields because of its ease-of-use and ability to write about seemingly any topic. ChatGPT’s language model was trained using billions of words and phrases collected from the internet, and it can generate responses in a conversational “thread” and take previous prompts or instructions into account. ChatGPT can be accessed with a free account on OpenAI’s website. Paid accounts are able to access more sophisticated Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4 and connect with outside tools and resources using plugins.
ChatGPT in Higher Education
Many articles have been written about ChatGPT’s impacts on higher education. A selection of articles about ChatGPT’s effects are listed below:
- Alarmed by A.I. Chatbots, Universities Start Revamping How They Teach - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
- AI Unleashed | Higher Ed Gamma (insidehighered.com)
- AI Homework – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
- Guest Post: AI Will Augment, Not Replace | Just Visiting (insidehighered.com)
Considerations for Generative AI and Teaching
Before using ChatGPT, you should review the privacy and security guidelines on the Fast Path entry on the UFIT Integrated Risk Management website. Any data that falls under the Sensitive or Restricted data types should not be used with ChatGPT. This includes education records, unpublished research, personally identifiable information, and many other examples of data that would be inappropriate to disclose to the public.
The CITT has advice on adapting assessments in light of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools on the Generative AI and Teaching page. We also offer consultations and webinars on AI and other tools impacting teaching and learning through our Tech Byte series.
To discuss how your course or assignments can be designed with ChatGPT or other generative AI tools in mind, please request assistance with educational technology and tools from the CITT! Our technologists and instructional designers can provide advice on modifying assessments and explain in more detail how ChatGPT could affect your specific course.
Additional Resources
In addition, other professionals have also compiled lists of resources and articles about ChatGPT’s effects in education that you might find helpful: