While the advent of Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technologies has ushered in a new era of possibilities in education, from facilitating personalized learning experiences to offering unprecedented access to information, the new era brings along some drawbacks as well.

The potential negative impacts on education, particularly in the areas of dependency and academic integrity, merit a closer examination to fully understand their implications and to develop strategies for mitigation.

Dependency

Reduced Critical Thinking

One of the most pressing concerns with the proliferation of GPT in educational settings is the risk of reduced critical thinking among students.

We stopped teaching Critical Thinking over 30 years ago in public schools and many would argue it has yielded the society and culture we have today.

Critical thinking—the ability to analyze facts, generate and organize ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw inferences, evaluate arguments, and solve problems—is a foundational skill in all areas of education and while almost non-existent now in public education, the impact of AI will be to eliminate what little is left.

It’s the old HP Calculator analogy – why do I need to know how math works if I can just solve equations with a device?

When students turn to GPT for quick answers, there is a significant risk that they decide to bypass the cognitive processes involved in critical thinking altogether.

It is known as leaky abstraction. The convenience of obtaining immediate answers discourages students from engaging in the mental rigor required to explore topics, analyze different perspectives, and develop their own reasoned arguments. This shift will stifle intellectual curiosity and diminish the development of critical thinking skills that are crucial for informed citizenship. Over time, they will erode any fundamental knowledge of the domain under study and soon we will only know a domain necessary, but not why.

Diminished Learning Effort

Moreover, the ease of generating essays and assignments using GPT will lead to diminished learning effort. When students rely on AI to complete their work, they miss out on the learning experiences that come from engaging deeply with content, conducting research, and synthesizing information.

This reliance on technology can create a passive learning environment where students are consumers rather than active participants in their education. Over time, this results in a superficial understanding of subjects, with students lacking a deep or nuanced grasp of the material. The convenience offered by GPT, while appealing, will ultimately detract from the rigorous learning process that is essential for academic and personal growth.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism and Cheating

The issue of academic integrity is another significant concern in the context of GPT’s influence on education. As GPT technologies make it increasingly easy to generate sophisticated essays and complete assignments, the temptation for students to pass off AI-generated work as their own grows.

This not only raises questions about the authenticity of students’ work but also undermines the principles of academic integrity that are fundamental to the educational process.

Plagiarism and cheating, facilitated by GPT, compromise the fairness and credibility of academic assessments, devaluing the educational achievements of all students.

Addressing this challenge requires a reevaluation of how assignments are designed and assessed, with a greater emphasis on tasks that encourage original thought and creativity that cannot be easily replicated by AI.

Erosion of Writing and Speaking Skills

Finally, the dependence on GPT for writing assignments also poses a threat to the development of students’ writing skills. Writing is a complex process that involves more than just stringing words together; it requires the ability to articulate thoughts, structure arguments, and convey ideas clearly and persuasively. When students rely on AI for these tasks, they miss out on the opportunity to practice and refine these skills.

Over time, this will lead to an erosion of writing and speaking abilities, with students becoming less capable of expressing themselves effectively without the aid of technology. The impact of this on students’ future academic and professional prospects cannot be overstated, as strong writing and speaking skills are a prerequisite for success in almost every field.

The Genie is Out and There’s No Going Back

The integration of GPT into educational practices presents a paradox.

On one hand, it offers tools that can enhance learning experiences in unprecedented ways. On the other, it poses significant challenges to the foundational aspects of education: critical thinking, learning effort, academic integrity, and the development of essential skills.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Educators must be proactive in designing curricula that leverage the benefits of GPT while mitigating its negative impacts. This might include developing new assessment strategies that prioritize originality and critical engagement with material, as well as incorporating activities that emphasize the development of critical thinking and writing skills.

Furthermore, there is a need for ongoing dialogue among educators, policymakers, and technologists to navigate the ethical considerations surrounding the use of GPT in education.

Only through collaborative effort can we ensure that the integration of AI into educational settings enriches the learning experience without compromising the core values and objectives of education.

The goal should be to harness the power of GPT as a tool for enhancing education, rather than allowing it to undermine the very foundation of the educational process.