What is ChatGPT?

What’s the new buzzword today in the education world…ChatGPT. Have you heard about it?
What are your first thoughts and feelings about artificial intelligence (AI)?

I learned about it when I was in New York City last December visiting my son. We always talk about technology, so he introduced me to ChatGPT. When I got home, my email and Facebook were flooded with ChatGPT this and ChatGPT that and I had not even signed up for anything.

I logged in and created an account. Then, I asked ChatGPT these two questions.

  • What is ChatGPT?

“I am ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI. I am designed to generate human-like responses to natural language inputs using machine learning techniques. I have been trained on a massive corpus of text from the internet and other sources, allowing me to understand a wide range of topics and converse on a variety of subjects. My purpose is to assist users in generating text-based content, answering questions, and carrying out other language-related tasks.”

  • Will AI replace teachers?

“While AI technology is advancing rapidly and has the potential to transform many aspects of education, it is unlikely that AI will completely replace teachers in the near future.

  AI can perform certain tasks, such as grading multiple-choice tests and providing feedback on basic writing assignments, but it lacks the ability to provide the same level of personalized guidance and support that a human teacher can provide. AI can analyze student data and provide insights to help teachers tailor their instruction to meet student’s needs, but it cannot replicate the empathy and emotional intelligence that is necessary to establish strong relationships with students and create a positive learning environment.

Furthermore, education is about much more than simply delivering content and assessing students’ knowledge. Teachers play a critical role in creating a community of learners, fostering critical thinking and creativity, and helping students develop social-emotional skills. AI technology may be able to supplement teachers’ efforts and improve educational outcomes, but it cannot replace the human touch that is so essential to effective teaching and learning.”

So, once again, teachers do not have to fear for their jobs. However, that doesn’t mean the teaching profession is not going to make some major changes in the next several years. Remember, teachers provide something that a machine cannot, the human touch. As teachers, we know that we must build relationships with our students and parents for them to learn and be successful.

Where is all this artificial intelligence heading? Will this affect how we teach and learn? The articles that I have read thus far say that AI is here to stay. The same as the calculator and Siri. So, the question is, what are we going to do about it? Embrace it, fight it, work it, or just…retire. If everyday life is about learning, would this not be just another way to learn?

Check out the K12IRC section on AI & ChatGPT and Weekly Spotlight.

Stay tuned because the debate will be ongoing.