Hi Maya,
My daughter recently admitted she’s been using Chat-GPT to help with her English essays. She insists it’s not cheating since she’s not plagiarism, but I still feel uneasy. I’m not familiar with how Chat-GPT works, and I want to approach this the right way. Can you explain how it functions and give me some advice on how to talk to her about it?
Worried About AI
Dear Worried About AI,
Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence! From chatbots to Instagram filters and autocorrect, AI is all around us. But when it shows up in your child’s education, like with Chat-GPT, it’s natural to feel concerned. Let’s break down what you need to know so you can handle this with confidence.
What is Chat-GPT?
Chat-GPT is an advanced AI tool developed by Open-AI. It allows users to input questions and receive detailed, human-like responses. You may have also heard of DALL-E, another tool by Open-AI that generates images from text prompts.
How Does Chat-GPT Work?
Chat-GPT uses pattern recognition and data analysis from a wide range of texts to generate its answers. It’s similar to how humans recognize patterns, but it operates at a much faster speed.
For example, if you ask Chat-GPT to finish the sentence, “The ice cream was ____,” it will suggest words like “delicious” or “creamy,” just like your daughter might. But Chat-GPT can also answer more complicated questions, like solving math problems or writing essays.
How Students Use Chat-GPT for School
Kids often turn to Chat-GPT for help with their schoolwork. Common tasks include:
- Writing essays or summaries
- Solving math problems
- Analyzing themes in literature
- Researching historical events
Because Chat-GPT can provide detailed reasoning, it’s difficult for teachers to tell when students rely on it too much.
Limitations of Chat-GPT
While Chat-GPT is powerful, it has several limitations:
1. It Can Be Inaccurate
Chat-GPT only knows data up to 2021, and sometimes its answers are just plain wrong. Because it presents answers confidently, kids may believe they’re always correct.
2. It Reflects Human Biases
Since Chat-GPT learns from human-written data, it can mirror biases present in that information, which can be harmful.
3. It Lacks True Creativity
Though it may sound human, Chat-GPT doesn’t have the creativity or nuance that comes with actual human writing. Its responses may feel generic over time.
Chat-GPT: A Tool, Not a Replacement
AI tools like Chat-GPT are just that—tools. They can assist with brainstorming or quick research, but they shouldn’t replace learning. Kids still need to build their skills in writing, math, and critical thinking.
How to Talk to Your kids About ChatGPT
Want to have a constructive conversation with your daughter? Here are some tips to get started:
- Use Chat-GPT Together: Ask it simple, preference-based questions like, “What’s the best flavor of ice cream?” Chat-GPT will give a generic answer.
- Ask: “Why do you think humans can give more personal answers than AI?”
- Test it With Complex Questions: Try, “Why did Britain lose the Revolutionary War?” ChatGPT will return a structured response, but it might not sound like something a student would write.
- Ask: “How would your teacher know you didn’t write this? How is it different from your typical work?”
- Discuss How Chat-GPT Works: Research together, then ask your daughter if she understands how the AI generates its responses.
- Ask: “Do you think Chat-GPT always provides accurate information? How can you verify it?”
By using these strategies, you can help her understand the value of learning and the role of AI in education.
