Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fascinating topic and growing resource in today’s world. From voice assistants to driving routes, AI has become an integral part of our daily lives and a powerful tool of education. The future of AI will bring ideas and solutions to real and complex problems such as alleviating poverty, improving education, accessing health care, combating climate change, and what to watch on a streaming service.
What is AI?
Artificial intelligence uses software and machines to solve problems that the machines have never been trained to work on - like a human can - through deep learning processes. The human brain, marvelously created by God, is hungry and eager to connect previous events and learned information to predict, empathize, and engage in daily life. In AI, deep learning recognizes complex patterns in text, sounds, pictures and other data to produce insight and predictions. ChatGPT and Jasper are two popular AI systems available today.
The Ethics of AI
AI is revolutionizing the way we live and work, and with the tremendous potential, comes ethical issues. For example, how do we evaluate an answer or idea produced by AI as accurate and reliable? Are we certain that AI is used in ways that are fair and just for all people? These and many other questions are before us as learners and educators.
AI in Education
Schools are echoing with ideas, guides, and examples of how AI may be used in education. Concordia’s teachers and students have been investigating together how AI may be used to generate concepts for projects and as a tool to help answer questions a student might have with homework when away from school. Conversations between students and teachers have also focused on the appropriate use and misuse of technology as one’s own work. A sample of guides for using AI in education have been developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and Common Sense Education that encourage positive use of AI in the learning process.
Summary
To conclude this brief post, I entered a prompt into ChatGPT, “a conclusion paragraph for a blog post about AI”, and according to OpenAI's ChatGPT (OpenAI, n.d.);
[In conclusion, AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has the potential to transform many aspects of our lives. From healthcare and education to transportation and entertainment, AI has already begun to make its mark on the world. However, as with any new technology, there are also risks and challenges that must be considered. As we continue to develop and implement AI, it is important to think critically about its impact on society and to ensure that it is used in a way that is ethical and just. By staying informed about the latest developments in AI and engaging in thoughtful discussion about its potential benefits and drawbacks, we can work towards creating a future in which AI serves as a powerful tool for positive change.]
Together, and with God’s help, we are learning.
God’s blessings,
Pat Frerking,
Principal