Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) is one of the most revolutionary technologies to be seen in a while, yet many educators are short of eagerness and are left worried about the future. Quickly and with just a few simple clicks, a piece of writing regarding any subject desired can be generated with this highly advanced chatbot. Although a potentially helpful tool for teaching, many fear that ChatGPT is a dangerous threat to academic integrity. 

ChatGPT was released in November 2022 by tech startup OpenAI, an organization notably linked to Elon Musk and Microsoft. The program is a form of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Users are able to type in a question or prompt in exchange for a response that is indistinguishable from traditionally written text. This technology is similar to predictive text when sending text messages but on a much grander scale. For instance, one may instruct ChatGPT to write an essay about different kinds of dogs and would receive just that.

“I don’t think I would use ChatGPT, although I find it fascinating,” said sophomore Chloe Shiu. “I don’t fully trust it quite yet, and I feel that an essay written by AI would not read like something written by me. My teachers would probably suspect something.”

As for ChatGPT’s impact on schooling, arguments stand on both sides of the issue. On one hand, some educators are embracing the future, offering a warm welcome to the new programming. Some teachers view ChatGPT as a useful tool in the classroom, as it has the ability to help facilitate learning and discussion. As an example, it can be used to quickly create a passage for students to analyze or a word problem for students to solve. Some draw comparisons to the graphing calculator, a tool once questioned, but is now a relevant and widely used device in education.

On the other hand, ChatGPT has also faced major backlash from schools across the country. School districts including Los Angeles Unified School District, have blocked the site from being accessed on school-administered devices. ChatGPT has been criticized and feared for its ability to allow students to cheat so easily, as their homework and assignments can be practically done for them.

“I’m sure that ChatGPT will change the way teachers teach, especially English teachers,” noted English teacher Ms. Kathryn Doring. “To prevent cheating, perhaps students will be writing more in-class assignments as a result of this new AI.”

“I haven’t heard much about ChatGPT, but I feel like technology can always be used for good and bad. Right now, however, I think that I have enough resources to teach without ChatGPT. In this case, it may be more harmful than helpful because it can encourage students to cheat, which can be a challenge,” said math teacher Ms. Sabrina Galvan.

The future remains uncertain with ChatGPT. The launch of this fascinating software marks a new era for education, as both a blessing and a curse. ChatGPT is truly a sign of the times, as technology continues to inch closer and closer to mirroring humanity itself. One may even wonder, was this article authored by a human or ChatGPT?

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters