In this episode, we discuss the implications of generative AI on assessment, and on learning and teaching more broadly. The impetus for the conversation was a blog post I wrote, sharing an idea for an assessment that explicitly required the use of ChatGPT. The premise is that you can establish a context where you can debate ChatGPT, and build some additional engagement around that initial scenario.
This was a wide-ranging conversation that explored some of the detail around how language models work, it’s inability to compare responses to valid models of the world, practical uses for AI in teaching, learning, and assessment, and the risks of having AI being trained on data generated by AI. We explore the implications of a higher education system that embraces AI, and ask if integrating AI has inherent value, or if it’s value is simply instrumental. And we discuss an awkward conclusion that at least of us feels is inevitable.
Some of the applications we discuss include Perplexity AI, Pi (see resource below), and ChatGPT. However, there are many (many) examples of generative AI models coming online almost every day.
Additional resources
- Clark, D. (2023). Are we on the verge of having a universal teacher? Donald Clark Plan B.
- Clark, D. (2023, June 19). Personalised tutors—A dumb rich kid is more likely to graduate from college than a smart poor one. Donald Clark Plan B.
- Downes, S. (2023). My conversation with Pi, the AI, on the ethics of AI. Half an Hour blog.
- Emrani, S. E., Merzouqi, A. E., & Khaldi, M. (2021). An Intelligent Adaptive cMOOC “IACM” for Improving Learner’s Engagement. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(13).
- Hao, K. (2019, August 2). China has started a grand experiment in AI education. It could reshape how the world learns. MIT Technology Review.
- Khan, S. (2023, May 1). How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education. TED presentation.
- Liang, J. (2019). How AI Adaptive Technology can Upgrade Education Industry. O’Reilly Artificial Intelligence Conference, New York.
- Swiecki, Z., et al. (2022). Assessment in the age of artificial intelligence. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 100075.
[…] been a long time since Ben and I sat down to record something for the In Beta podcast, but I think this episode on Generative AI is a good one. As usual, Ben asks some great questions that really push me to think about what […]