Editorial by Lauren Sayer

ChatGPT and the
explosion of AI

ChatGPT is a pretty cool technology changing the game in the world of Artificial Intelligence. It’s a language model developed by OpenAI that’s been trained on a massive amount of data to generate text responses that are eerily similar to what a human might say. This has excited many people. Lauren Sayer is one of Australia’s most innovative educators with an extensive global expertise in the education sector and an authority in maximising the power of advancements in technology to enhance
teaching and learning design.

When it comes to schools and education, ChatGPT presents both tremendous opportunities and some challenges. For example, imagine having a personal AI tutor for every student. They could ask questions and get immediate answers that are customised just for them. Plus, ChatGPT could help make administrative tasks faster and more efficient, like marking or answering student questions. That would free up more time for teachers to focus on the more critical areas, such as explicit instructional practice.

However, some concerns come with using ChatGPT in schools. For example, it could lead to job loss if certain automated tasks are automated. Additionally, the accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses is only as good as the data it was trained on, so there’s a chance it could perpetuate biases or give incorrect information. There are also privacy concerns when it comes to collecting and storing personal data. Currently, the terms of use for Chat GPT are restricted to adults 18 years or older. This has led to many schools and state education departments placing a ban on the technology currently on school networks.

As IT leaders, we must be aware of these challenges and take steps to address them. This means being mindful of privacy, implementing ethical guidelines for using ChatGPT, and making sure that everyone understands the limitations and biases of AI. In my field, ChatGPT is a technology that has the potential to revolutionise education, but we must approach it with caution. By being aware of the challenges and taking steps to ad dress them, we can ensure that ChatGPT is used responsibly and effectively in our schools.

Five Tips to learn more about Chat GPT and AI

• Start with the basics: Before diving into the complexities of ChatGPT, make sure you understand the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). A great place to start is subscribing to www.aiweekly.co or looking at the OpenAI blog www.openai.com/blog.
• Read articles and research papers: Many articles and research papers available online can help you understand ChatGPT and its applications in education. This is a great way  to learn about the technology and its potential
  benefits and drawbacks.
• Participate in online communities: Join the discussion on Linkedin or Twitter about AI in education.
• Play around with the technology: The best way to understand ChatGPT is to use it.
• Collaborate with other educators: Collaborating with other educators can be
  a great way to learn about ChatGPT and its potential applications in education. This can also help you identify ways to effectively integrate the technology into your curriculum and support student learning.

Lauren Sayer

Executive Director – Research and Innovation,
Melbourne Girls Grammar
[email protected]

Lauren Sayer is one of Australia’s most innovative educators with an extensive global expertise in the education sector and an authority in maximising the power of advancements in technology to enhance teaching and learning design.