Dear Educational Institutions and Authorities,
I am writing this open letter in response to the recent news about UK universities cracking down on the usage of Generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, and labeling it as ‘cheating’. As an individual deeply involved in the tech industry, I would like to share my perspective on this issue.
The news article published on NDTV on July 6, 2023, reported that 377 UK university students have faced investigations for allegedly using AI technologies like ChatGPT to assist in their coursework. Among these, at least 146 have been found guilty, and investigations are still ongoing at dozens of universities. The institutions involved range across all rankings, and the issue seems to be widespread, affecting up to 40 percent of all UK universities.
I find it interesting to draw parallels between the current situation and the introduction of calculators in the 1990s, computers in the 2000s, and internet searches in the 2010s. Each of these tools, when first introduced, were met with skepticism and resistance. However, over time, they have become integral to the learning process, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Dear Universities, particularly those like the University of East Anglia, where Dr. Richard Harvey, a professor of computer science, has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of AI tools like ChatGPT, I urge you to consider this: Intelligence has a new meaning in the era of AI. As gatekeepers or merchants of Intelligence, it’s time you caught up.
The advent of AI and its increasing use in education is not a threat to academic integrity, but a challenge to the traditional methods of teaching and evaluation. It is a call for educational institutions to evolve and adapt. The focus should not be on restricting the use of AI, but on developing strategies to incorporate it into the learning process in a way that enhances understanding and promotes original thinking.
In conclusion, I believe that it’s time for us to embrace the changes brought about by technology and adapt our systems to make the most of these advancements. After all, the goal of education is to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the world, and in the 21st century, that world is increasingly digital and interconnected.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely, Shashank Aggarwal
PS : This letter is written in 3 minutes using AI, ChatGPT4 to be precise.