Jesus and ChatGPT
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) looks like a great revolution that is here to stay and very beneficial in various aspects. I believe AI will change how we do things. I found myself wondering why anyone would see this negatively. Like in any other area, there is no question that potential dangers will come with it depending on how we use and interact with it. The benefits look endless, and I must confess that I didn’t know much about these systems till we started receiving information for this semester.
Is there anything wrong with it?
As suggested by countless research articles, ChatGPT can be a great tool and genuinely helpful even in education. When I started testing ChatGPT, I was amazed at the performance. It can generate so much information quickly, saving the user so much time to search.
Tools and techniques are emerging that provide ethical challenges. For example, there are several AI techniques that aim to understand human emotions, and organizations may want to start thinking and talking about what place (if any) these kinds of tools have in higher education.[1]
Even though we might not have known it as AI or ChatGPT, it is clear some of us have been using AI tools much earlier. We may not have called it by the same name. I have significantly benefited from systems like Microsoft spell check, Grammarly, Otter.ai, and many more.
“Ingenuity and creativity mean that this technology is constantly changing. Most recently, the advent of AI writers has created a lot of excitement and concern.” [2]
Are there potential dangers?
As stated earlier, I will agree. “One downside is that lecturers will not get to know their students as thoroughly as is desirable if they never do any marking.”[3]
Harin speaks specifically about the danger of the relationship between students and marking their work.
I can see where the challenge stands as AI becomes the teacher/tutor, keeping papers with no human interactions. Isn’t this the same as online education vs. studying in a classroom?
The benefits of online education cannot be denied; systems to mitigate the negative side of online education have been put in place, and I can testify there are vast benefits to online and in-class instruction.
“Some middle ground is needed – AI could mark some assignments, but for a lecturer to accurately assess and understand a student’s ability, the lecturer must see a significant amount of a student’s output.”[4]
Putting on the positive lens
Anyone paying attention in the last two months has been seeing statements like these, especially in education. The thesis has been Students are going to be using chat GPG and other forms of AI to cheat their assignments. They’re not going to learn. It’s going to completely undermine education as we know it.[5]
I agree with Khan assuring us that it is possible to mitigate any dangers of AI systems and maximize the positive benefits of this fantastic technology. The author continues with demonstrations of how to do it in such a very persuasive way.
“Now what I’m going to argue today is not only there are ways to mitigate that, we put the right guardrails, we do the right things, we can mitigate it.”[6]
Conclusion: Jesus and ChatGPT
I hope these great resources, as discussed by several sources, are available to the least of these. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. Matthew 25:40. I always gravitate towards finding solutions for many who have no access to solutions of such great value.
But we’re at the cusp of using AI, the biggest positive transformation education has ever seen. And the way we’re going to do that is by giving every student on the planet an artificially intelligent but excellent personal tutor; we’re gonna give every teacher on the planet, a an amazing, artificially intelligent teaching assistant.[7]
I look forward to the time every refugee child who desires education will have a personal tutor. I think these miracles of science and technology contribute to amazing transformation today.
[1] Michael Webb, “What’s next for AI in Higher Education,” August 4, 2022, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/whats-next-ai-higher-education.
[2] Luninda McKnight, “Eight Ways to Engage with AI Writers in Higher Education,” Times Higher Education, October 14, 2022, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/chatgpt-and-rise-ai-writers-how-should-higher-education-respond.
[3] Harin Sellahewa, “Resource Collection: AI and the University,” Education, April 23, 2021, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/spotlight/ai-and-university.
[4] Harin Sellahewa.
[5] Sal Khan, “How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education | Sal Khan | TED,” accessed September 10, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJP5GqnTrNo.
[6] Sal Khan.
[7] Sal Khan.
About the Author
Jean de Dieu Ndahiriwe
Jean de Dieu Ndahiriwe is a Clinical Correctional Chaplain and former Child Refugee from War-torn Rwanda. A member of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, Jean is passionate about Servant Leadership and looks forward to seeing more leaders that inspire Lasting Peace and Justice for all, especially "the least of these".10 responses to “Jesus and ChatGPT”
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Jean,
Your quote by Harin Sellahewa “Some middle ground is needed – AI could mark some assignments, but for a lecturer to accurately assess and understand a student’s ability, the lecturer must see a significant amount of a student’s output.” is an interesting hybrid model. This would presumably enable teachers to have a more targeted impact on students’ learning, while also leveraging the benefits of AI.
Hi Daron,
I definitely agree. This middle ground is an excellent place to interact with the teacher and explore the benefits of AI as well.
Hi Jean
Great connection between in-person and online-learning. Interestingly, I have noticed this in my children who pivoted well to virtual school during the pandemic. They seem to seamlessly move from virtual to in-person even within the same class.
This makes me consider the goal of education. Is it to have a personal connection to the instructor, especially for learning to occur? I can see the argument for an instructor to detect cheating, yet not every student needs or desires input from the instructor to learn. It is dependent on the motivation of the student.
What has your experience been like for this?
Chad,
This is a great discussion and I am wanting to join it. You put an emphasis on the student being motivated to learn from the teacher. I agree with this, how many times have I encouraged my (then) high school son, “Have you emailed your teacher?” I also might add- What is the teacher’s role? Will this be diminished possibly with learning left in the students lap? What about the embodiment of leadership that we have discussed often in our program? My son has gone to college; this is his freshman year. For months I have daily prayed that my son might connect with his professors. I desire that he not only learn from them “head knowledge” but hopefully character development from their Godly examples.
Joining the discussion. Looking forward to seeing you in Oxford.
Just a note: If I was in your church, I would not only like to hear a sermon/watch a sermon that you give. I would hope to get to know you and find out what a cool human being you are.
Jean- I have the same thoughts for you. Would the men you minister to do best by you by finding a sermon or blog post of yours? Or, hear your deep comforting voice and getting to hear your story straight from you? See you soon, Jean!
Thanks for the thought compelling blog.
Kristy,
Thanks for joining in the discussion. I always hear a kind, compassionate voice when you speak and write.
Can’t wait to see you soon in Oxford as well, Safe and joyful travels.
Thanks Chad,
I think the student’s motivation and encouragement from a teacher are vital. I like this quote from Tao, I might have seen other versions similar to this “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready… The teacher will Disappear.”
― Tao Te Ching.
Jean,
Your comment regarding AI taking over the grading which lessens a teacher’s ability to know their students hit home. I definitely think you hit a pain point.
Good insights.
Thanks, Audrey,
Looking forward to meeting in Oxford soon; safe, blessed travels.
Jean, great discussion on the benefits and pitfalls of AI. I love your comment, “I look forward to the time every refugee child who desires education will have a personal tutor. I think these miracles of science and technology contribute to amazing transformation today.” This is the kind of forward thinking that engages new technology for the benefit of others. What a positive way to view AI. New technology can be scary or intimidating, but it is simply a tool. How we use it is up to us.
Thanks Becca,
Thanks for your comment; hope you are doing better now and fully recovered.
Blessings.