Artificial Intelligence in education: what AI is, what it's not, what works, and what doesn't

Abstract

AI is a hot topic of conversation due to recent advances in processing power and algorithms. ChatGPT is a generative pre-trained transformer-based general large language model. It creates text based on statistical probability, making it a text-generation machine. AI is not God and cannot take over the world. It does not have consciousness, free will, or intentionality. AI is pre-programmed and lacks responsibility, so the responsibility lies with the constructor or programmer. AI is not a knowledge base like Wikipedia or Encyclopaedia Britannica and does not produce truth or original works, but it produces text and can generate false information or hallucinations. There are four levels of ethics in technology engineering: built-in ethical issues, machines that incorporate ethical decisions, machines that incorporate decision algorithms, and intentionality/moral principles (which do not yet exist). AI in education is perceived as dangerous by some, due to fear of new technology, but it is important to remember that it is just a tool. Technology is an important part of education and we should look for convergence, synergies, and best usage models. AI is still young, so the ways it can be used in education are still being experimented with and defined. Customized pedagogical advice and creating original knowledge are not effective use cases for AI in education. Cheating is a concern with AI in education, but it is important to focus on the promising use cases such as Bing search, Microsoft Copilot, translation, transcription, summarization, and generating problems and questions based on examples. We cannot ban AI in education, as it has already been adopted and can increase productivity. Instead, we must learn how to use it responsibly and ethically.

Full text

Artificial Intelligence
& Education
What AI is
what it’s not
What works
what doesn’t
eLSE: The 19th International Scientific Conference
eLearning and Software for Education.
27-28 Apr 2023
StefanMorcov.com

Linear innovation, marginal progress
Skeumorphism
Disruptive innovation, paradigm shift
Anti-skeumorphism
Complexity / emergence
AI, ChatGPT
2

Productivity tools
●Docs, Slides, Prezi, Video, Miro, Mural,
Surveymonkey, quizizz, Kahoot
●See also, and more
Disruptive innovation. Paradigm shifts
●Writing
●Printing - Gutenberg, libraries
●Internet, Wikipedia, Google
●Large collaborative learning spaces,
remote collaboration.
Details, also, and here.
●AI, ChatGPT
5
Tech in edu

1. AI is a hot topic of conversation due to recent advances in processing
power and algorithms.
2. ChatGpt is a generative pre-trained transformer-based general large
language model. It creates text based on statistical probability, making it
a text-generation machine.
3. AI is not God and cannot take over the world, and it does not have
consciousness, free will, or intentionality. AI is pre-programmed and lacks
responsibility, so the responsibility lies with the constructor or
programmer.
4. There are four levels of ethics in technology engineering: built-in ethical
issues, machines that incorporate ethical decisions, machines that
incorporate decision algorithms, and intentionality/moral principles
(which do not yet exist).
5. AI is not a knowledge base like Wikipedia or Encyclopedia Britannica
and does not produce truth or original works, but it produces text and
can generate false information or hallucinations.
What is AI (summary generated with ChatGPT)

1. AI in education is perceived as dangerous by some, due to fear of new
technology, but it is important to remember that it is just a tool.
2. Technology is an important part of education and we should look for
convergence, synergies, and best usage models.
3. AI is still young, so the ways it can be used in education are still being
experimented with and defined.
4. Customized pedagogical advice and creating original knowledge are not
effective use cases for AI in education.
5. Cheating is a concern with AI in education, but it is important to focus on
the promising use cases such as Bing search, Microsoft copilot,
translation, transcription, summarization, and generating problems and
questions.
6. We cannot ban AI in education, as it has already been adopted and can
increase productivity. Instead, we must learn how to use it responsibly
and ethically.
What is AI (summary generated with ChatGPT)

Reactions to AI
Exaggerated expectation 😀
●AI solves everything
Rejection 😟
●AI steals our jobs,
kills creativity,
takes over the world,
destroys civilization
8

What AI is
ChatGPT is an automatic
conversational engine
●uses a generative pre-trained
transformer-based general large
language model
●statistical probability to generate
text by calculating the most
probable words based on the
input text and previous words
A machine that generates text
9

What AI/ChatGPT is NOT
Knowledge base
Original, creative
Consciousness
Awareness
Free will
Intentionality
10

What works
Translation, transcription, subtitles
Grammar, spelling, style check
Image recognition, plants, music (Shazam)
Semantic search
Text summarization
Keyword extraction, NER
Create and format documents
Generate similar exercises
11

What doesn’t work
Personalized pedagogical advice
Creating original knowledge
13

What is sensitive
Plagiarism
Ethics
Hallucination
14

15

Can’t ban AI
Need to learn how to use it
Usage scenarios, what works, what doesn’t
Must teach students to use AI
Responsibly
Ethically
18
Conclusion
StefanMorcov.com