The potential & pitfalls of ‘ChatGPT’
[객원 에디터 4기 / 한동민 기자] ChatGPT is an AI-powered chat robt that uses algorithms to provide answers to user-inputted questions. It was developed in November of 2022 by the OpenAI foundation, an independent research organization founded by Elon Musk. Though initially doubted for its abilities, these criticisms soon waned out as the program’s users increased exponentially to over a million.
ChatGPT has many benefits that can be attributed to its expanding adoption. The application enables users to access instantaneous, accurate, and free information that is personalized to their needs. Apart from regular users, educators and office administrators are also implementing ChatGPT in their workspaces. Indeed, Sam Altman—chairman of the OpenAI foundation—emphasized that the system presents “an early demo of what’s possible.” He postulates that “[s]oon you will be able to have helpful assistants that talk to you, answer questions, and give advice. Later you can have something that goes off and does tasks for you. Eventually you can have something that goes off and discovers new knowledge for you.”
In addition to its potential widespread applications, the convenience of ChatGPT is an additional advantage. According to a blog written by Chat GPT”, the program has demonstrated its capacity in carrying out routine tasks, ordering, and even analyzing data to provide insights into logistical procedures.
Nonetheless, ChatGPT also raised questions regarding the ethics in the field of education, especially pertaining to its usage by students who have yet to fully develop their ability to express their ideas originally. As these students are not fully aware of the dangers posed by ChatGPT, there is the risk of exploiting this new technology to shortcut class assignments.
In particular, plagiarism is a very serious issue. According to digitaltrend.com, Furman University assistant philosophy professor Darren Hick recently spoke with the New York Post about confronting a student who used the chatbot to draft a 500-word essay for a take-home exam. Hick added that he was able to determine ChatGPT’s involvement through several tests, such as plugging the essay into a software that can detect OpenAI text and recreating the essay with similar prompts.
It is hard to deny the fact that ChatGPT holds many useful applications; however, there still a lot to consider in how to use them in a way that we can profit our society with this technology.
Sources: CNBC, The Guardians, Shiplilly, digitaltrends.com, New York Post, Economic Times, Digital Trends
