By Caitlyn Meisner | Copy Editor
ChatGPT, the new artificial intelligence (AI) software able to produce human-like text, continues to sound alarm bells at Baylor after many professors become concerned about the potential harms it will cause for students.
The software was put to the test by many academics last month; the software passed multiple high-level exams including the Wharton MBA exam, four Minnesota law school exams and the three part medical licensing exam in the U.S.
The reports of each test said ChatGPT was able to pass the exams, but not necessarily outscore human students.
Connie Powell Nichols, professor of law and director of the intellectual property and entrepreneurship clinic at Baylor, said the results of each test were concerning, but not fatal.
“[ChatGPT] is only as good as its human programmer,” Powell Nichols said. “If your human component doesn’t have familiarity [with the subject], it’s going to program things into the algorithm and database that may give you incorrect answers.”
Powell Nichols said with the extended use of this technology, humans will lose something so unique to their makeup: critical thinking.
“If you don’t have to do the critical analysis because you have the chat and the online information that’s gathered, where is that critical thinking that’s happening?” Powell Nichols said. “If you never have to make the decision because you have AI telling you what decision to make, you ‘use it or lose it.'”
Several other professors echoed Powell Nichols’s concern. Dr. Forest Kim, executive director of the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, said these recent developments with ChatGPT were very concerning.
“For me, the biggest fear would be that if students use it, they are simply short-circuiting the learning process,” Kim said. “Critical thinking, oral and written communications… these are all critical competencies across all industries, but especially in business and healthcare.”
Kim also said he recognizes the benefits of using ChatGPT to generate ideas — similar to verbally brainstorming — but he said it ultimately cannot replace higher-level competencies like critical thinking.
Educators must learn to embrace the technology in a healthy way and teaching them the more valuable aspects of traditional forms of learning, Kim said.
“The challenge is how do we capitalize on the benefits with minimizing the harms?” Kim said.
Patrick Souter, adjunct lecturer in healthcare law at Baylor, also said he was concerned about this new technology. As a lawyer, he said it’s very important for future lawyers to craft their opinion and justification to practice.
“I think it would be very hard to understand different viewpoints or legal bases to argue if you rely upon [AI],” Souter said.
Souter also said he utilizes the Socratic method of teaching both in in the law school and in the MBA program. He explained it will be evident and a “huge disservice” if the student relies on AI if they truly want to learn.
The only way to learn is by doing the work, Souter said; the student must be willing to put in the effort to hone their craft.
Dr. Pedro Reyes, associate professor of management, said students must understand the value they bring in comparison to AI by asking themselves important questions.
“If the machine can do it, then why do we need the human being?” Reyes said. “What value do I bring to the table that the AI cannot do?”
Reyes said he recognizes the fears induced by ChatGPT, but humans must adapt and embrace the technology to help the next generation.
He said the phenomenon of a continued cycle of industrial revolutions; Reyes said humans are transitioning into the fifth iteration of said revolution with the invention and development of ChatGPT and sibling technologies.
Dr. Gia Chevis, clinical professor in accounting, said she’s not particularly concerned that ChatGPT will end higher education as the world knows it, but believes this software will require much more thought on how educators teach and assess learning.
She compared ChatGPT to fears from decades ago where accountants were concerned about the use of computerized spreadsheets, such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. She said people at that time were scared that all jobs would be lost and computers would take over.
“Clearly this didn’t happen,” Chevis said. “There are things that a computer assists accountants in doing and humans can pay more attention to what they can do better.”
Chevis also said students need to have a fundamental understanding of the subject before using ChatGPT so they can use it correctly. She said she had some advice for students who are thinking of using it.
“Use it, understand how it works, understand it’s limitations and understand how it can help you in your learning,” Chevis said. “It’s not a substitute for you; it’s a helper, but not a replacement yet.”
