Generative AI (GenAI), according to the Government of Canada, is a type of artificial intelligence that can produce content such as text, audio, code, videos, and images based on information provided by the user called prompts. These technologies are increasing in sophistication and will result in changes to the way we work.
Benefits
What are the possible benefits of GenAI use for learners?
Remove Repetitive or Mundane Work – Instead of scheduling meetings and writing emails, GenAI can take-over these tasks, freeing up time to address concerns requiring a human perspective.
Provides a Starting Point – Instead of starting from scratch, users can start with an idea and use GenAI to help refine this idea to yield a higher quality output.
Enhances Iterations – GenAI can instantly create variations from which the learner can work to refine their final product.
True Continuous Improvement – Everyday, GenAI improves. Today represents the worst state GenAI will even be in. AI is good now, and it will only get better.
Challenges
What are the possible benefits of GenAI use for learners?
Biases – These programs have been created from information currently available online. This means the information most often comes from a cisgendered, Eurocentric, English-speaking, male-normative perspective. This leaves these systems open to perpetuating biases.
Accuracy – In an effort to answer all user prompts, GenAI systems are known to fabricate information in outputs called hallucinations. Data included in LLMs (depending on each LLM), may have information pertaining to a limited period of time that may not accurately reflect the currency of information.
Find the Human Value – These systems can do so much passably-well that our teaching or assessment practices may need to be refined to focus on the unique human component. We may need a greater focus on thinking rather than knowledge. Generative Ai does not necessarily select the appropriate tone when it generates content. The human value comes from appropriate utilization of the context
Higher Order Learning – How do we educate our learners on higher order skills if we are not able to educate them on lower order skills due to GenAI effectiveness at more basic levels?
Industry Demand
Many industries desire expertise in GenAI. This demand will likely grow over time. To be employable, it is ideal that our students are exposed to :
Skills and experience using GenAI effectively.
Knowledge and perspective on appropriate use of GenAI.
Without exposure to this in the post-secondary environment, graduates will be less able to innovate and support their future disciples.
Ethics
With the effectiveness and capabilities of GenAI, it is likely that many of the functions we encounter will be automated by these technologies with all their biases and inaccuracies intact. It is very important that our students are educated around the ethical implications of these systems. Our students should be able to identify, address, and respond to any biases and inaccuracies when confronted by them regardless of their role as programmer, user, or casualty as evidence of their knowledge and critical thinking
