Tool, Crutch or Something Else?
The use of artificial intelligence offers benefits and opportunities, but it also presents challenges and risks. Technology acts as a catalyst that expands the opportunities for humanity to pursue. It is amoral, not good or evil in itself, but can be designed and used for good and evil purposes. Much of its use for good lies in the responsibility of the creators and users of technology. As we see in all forms of technology from apps, AI, to the invention of the printing press, it can be used for good or for evil.
Before reading the articles and watching the videos, I hadn’t given much thought to using AI, except for the risks (specifically to one’s Apprenticeship to Jesus from its misuse) of using AI for higher education and the current controversy. My concerns centered around moral and ethical perspectives surrounding my limited understanding of its use. Some of those concerns included: using AI as a “crutch” for doing the work, manipulating the learning process (removing students from the “work” or challenge in the learning process), and employing AI as a shortcut for learning. However, as I grow in my understanding of artificial intelligence, I am able to see how AI technology can be used for the glory of God and the betterment of my own learning.
After watching Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, my own intelligence (Real Intelligence, Human Intelligence or Natural Intelligence . . . what is the intelligence we have?) was open to more of the possibilities for students. Khan modeled how AI will spark positive transformation in education, and noted that students could have an AI tutor and an AI teaching assistant for every teacher. [1] In Khan’s TED Talk, he modeled how AI, Khanmigo, can tutor students in the process of problem-solving by explaining their reasoning and assisting students in the ability to define misconceptions that may exist in their student’s minds. I was fascinated when watching the interaction between the Khanmigo bot and the “student”. Throughout my years in elementary education, a greater emphasis placed on skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and reasoning, as well as vulnerability in unearthing possible misconceptions has evolved. From the example provided by Sal Khan, within the use of Khan Academy, I could see several benefits for students. My mind started to reconsider my cautions and consider the possibilities. However, could this be a tool or a crutch for me to use?
In higher education, there has been concern about its use, noting how students have used it as a substitute for the learning process (more like a crutch). There are several concerns or considerations that need to be determined when using AI. While the use of Artificial Intelligence is a useful tool, it is not meant to be a substitute for learning. Michael Webb from JISC, a National Centre for AI in Tertiary Education, recognizes several current concerns and risks associated with using AI. Some of the risks include overdependence, perpetuation of harmful biases, responsibility and accountability of its use, and the potential breach of integrity. [2]
Overdependence – As society becomes more reliant on AI systems for critical tasks, there’s a risk of overdependence. If these systems fail or are compromised, there can be serious consequences.
Bias – AI Systems can inherit biases from the data they are trained on, which can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. The bias can affect the processes of decision-making.
Responsibility and Accountability of Use – It can be challenging to determine responsibility and accountability when using AI and things go wrong or the use of AI underperforms as desired. This raises questions about who is accountable for AI decisions and actions (i.e. autonomous vehicles). [3]
Artificial Intelligence presents a doubtful advantage to our culture, offering possibilities while at the same time posing significant risks and encountering certain limitations. Additionally, the risks require ethical guidelines, transparency, and further understanding of the responsibility and accountability of its use. Understanding the limits helps establish realistic expectations for AI’s potential use. Using AI wisely may help me navigate the complex landscape of technology usage and transformation (not to mention develop my vocabulary and writing abilities 🙂). So for you, is it a tool, crutch or something else?
While the purposes behind the creation of AI or any given technology may be morally complicated, God is still able to use them for His greater purposes. It is good for me (us) to understand the current concerns around their usage and develop my (our) “theology of AI usage” under the Lordship of my Maker. . . “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
[1] https://youtu.be/hJP5GqnTrNo?si=UfBAYH343hxgCYaK
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUNcrSrm47E
[3] Ibid
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei brings more than 25 years of experience in teaching, leading and coaching. She currently is an Instructional Coach and loves to support individuals in discovering who God has made them to be, both professionally and personally. She has led a variety of professional development opportunities, trainings and workshops both in the fields of education and ministry. Cathy desires to support individuals in discovering the Creator's design and image within. Cathy and her husband, Steve, live in Michigan with their seven year old Springer, Otis. They have three adult daughters and two son-in-laws. Together, they enjoy the company of friends (both old and new) in their home, as well as cycling, camping, backpacking and hiking. They can be found hiking and enjoying the outdoors with Otis right alongside them.6 responses to “Tool, Crutch or Something Else?”
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Cathy, for me, I think AI, like ChatGPT / OpenAI, is still “something else” (rather than a tool or crutch), mostly because I have yet to experiment with it. I’m still in the “I need to become more familiar with it by trying it” stage. That said, I am increasingly more comfortable with the idea of using it in education, perhaps following some of Lucinda McKnight’s suggestions in her “Eight ways to engage with AI writers in higher education.” I, too, think that this potential “tool” can be used for the glory of God, but like any “good” thing, it can become an “ultimate” thing…which can lead to overdependence, bias, and lack of accountability. Great post!
Hi Cathy, I grabbed some of your words…”Cathy desires to support individuals in discovering the Creator’s design and image within.”
I found it coincidental that in part of my blogpost I found…”The Creator is an upcoming American science fiction action thriller film co-produced and directed by Gareth Edwards. Taking place in a future impacted by a war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, the film’s plot follows an ex-special forces agent who is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war by destroying mankind itself.” (Wikipedia – trustworthy?) Ahh…the dark side of AI.
Of course, the only noteworthy point here is the coincidence of the word CREATOR, but it started me to rethink how AI is again just another double edged sword. It cuts both ways. It depends on how we use it.
(Warning Rabbit trail) In the depths of my memory I remembered an old science fiction story about AI…I couldn’t quite pin down the author but I remembered the last line of it and put it into google search. Google coughed up the author and the title “The Last Question.”
I then inserted my question into ChatGPT, “Isaac Asimov’s story “The Last Question” what was the question?”
ChatGPT responded…”Isaac Asimov’s story “The Last Question” revolves around a recurring question that spans across various time periods and technological advancements in the story’s universe. The question is simply, “How can entropy be reversed?”
In his story, Asimov imagined this question being posed to an AI, which the AI dwelled upon until humanity had succumbed to the waning of the stars and entropy consumed humanity.
Still the AI processed the question and after finally finished ingesting all of human knowledge, with no one to report to, it found the answer and uttered the phrase, “Let there be light”.
Shalom…
Cathy, GREAT question…
“So for you, is it a tool, crutch or something else?”
For me it can be both. It’s why I’m cautious about throwing myself into the full use of the tool. But I also can’t ignore it.
I loved your scriptural caution at the end of your blog. It’s so easy to be captured by hollow and deceptive philosophies and to not alway understand how a seemingly ‘neutral’ tool can drive us that direction.
For example we all used to think Social Media was neutral and “Just a tool” but we’ve discovered it was developed to ‘hook’ us and are just now seeing some of the disastrous impact it’s had on developing minds (and adults as well). What used to be a fun pastime will, I think, someday be seen the way we now see tobacco, probably with big caution labels sternly warning us of “serious impact and possibly even death” if we use it.
Hi Cathy,
Somehow I hadn’t considered this, “Overdependence – As society becomes more reliant on AI systems for critical tasks, there’s a risk of overdependence. If these systems fail or are compromised, there can be serious consequences.” That statement opened up more questions for me. I worry that the next generation will not have some basic skills because of reliance upon AI. And… then I wonder what basic skills have already become obsolete. As an educator what would your concerns be regarding overdependence among younger students?
I appreciate your balanced take on the subject. I can relate. I have not been motivated to engage with it at all because I love the process of learning and felt like its “cheating” which it can be. However, I did use it this week. The first three paragraphs in my last post is AI, lol. It really is impressive and I can see both the benefit and the dangers of it. I can do some things quickly that the human brain just can’t right now.
Useful tool, we just need to proceed with caution and mindfulness like your blog suggests.
“Bias – AI Systems can inherit biases from the data they are trained on, which can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. The bias can affect the processes of decision-making.” So AI is only as good as those who write the code:). We as humans are continually flawed! It seems to still weigh on us! We are the one’s responsible and bias is such a human flaw, whether it was intentional or not!