Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education - Fall 2024
For information on using AI resources in Zoom (AI Companion), see below.
The dawn of next-generation generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is reshaping the educational landscape, offering numerous prospects and considerations for our teaching approaches and student interactions. As we explore these new technologies, we at remain committed in our dedication to working collaboratively with faculty to support student learning and success.
ChatGPT is part of a growing array of generative AI platforms that have captured academic and media interest. This AI platform leverages predictive algorithms to generate or enhance a diverse range of written materials, from research essays and computer scripts to imaginative poetry and comprehensive reports. While the results can be useful, it's essential to recognize potential problems they pose to learning and teaching and to thoughtfully approach their use (or prohibition of their use) in our teaching.
For clarity, within this FAQ, "ChatGPT" signifies the freely accessible online chat platform underpinned by OpenAI's GPT architecture. We'd like to emphasize that ChatGPT represents just a fragment of the broader spectrum of emerging generative AI tools.
August 2023: Below please find a list of suggested syllabus statements that can provide guidance for language concerning the use or restrictions of AI technology in the course.
| LINK TO SAMPLE SYLLABI |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AI resources in Zoom (AI Companion) December 5, 2023
Meeting summary with AI Companion:
AI Companion Questions:
Should I use one of the ChatGPT detection tools such as GPTZero?
August 15, 2023
The University discourages the use of AI-detection software programs on student work. Such software programs have been found to be unreliable and to incorrectly flag instances of AI use in human-written content. Sharing your students’ work with these software programs without their permission also raises a range of privacy and ethical concerns. Instructors are encouraged to continue to use their traditional methods for detection of potential academic misconduct, including meeting with a student to discuss their assignment in person.
Please note: The University no longer has access to the AI Writing Detection Indicator that was accessible through Turnitin on Brightspace. This was part of a pilot for the Spring 2023 semester only.
Using ChatGPT in your course.
August 9, 2023
If you decide to use ChatGPT or other AI systems in your courses, please consider the following:
- Never input confidential information into an AI tool such as ChatGPT. All content entered may become part of the tool’s dataset and may inadvertently resurface in response to other prompts.
- There may be some students who are opposed to using AI tools due to privacy or other issues. Instructors should consider offering alternative forms of assessment for those students who might object to using the tools.
- Instructors should have clear instructions on their syllabus that AI tools may be used in the course and identify any restrictions to their usage.
- Be aware that not everything that generative AI technology produces is correct. Citations may be fabricated and inaccurate prompts are sometimes taken as fact.
- There is a risk that ChatGPT may perpetuate biases inherent in the material on which it was trained.
- Access to ChatGPT is at times difficult due to high volume usage. This can impact assignment due dates and may cause issues if you plan to use it “live” in the classroom.
AI for Teaching in Higher Education (Presentation)
James Pitarresi, Center for Learning and Teaching,
/clt/resources/ai-for-teaching-in-higher-education.pdf
Harnessing Generative AI in Higher Education: Uses and Concerns (CLT Workshop, 11/22/24)
James Pitarresi, Center for Learning and Teaching,
(Presentation Slides)
Link for ideas on using ChatGPT in your classroom:
Special thanks to the University of Toronto for allowing us to modify their content
on ChatGPT: