There’s no doubt about it, artificial intelligence is very prevalent in our society.
AI is everywhere; in our marketing ads, our search engines and most importantly our class rooms.
Across campus, each department has different policies regarding AI. Some are more lenient allowing students to use it as a tool in their learning, and some stricter with the threat of flunking on the line, if chat engines are used.
Arguments can be made for and against the use of it in a classroom setting.
Some think AI is our future.
Majors like secondary education are actively encouraging the students in the program to use it as a tool. Professors teach students how to use it in ways to aid them in the work they’re already doing, not doing the work for them. Using it to organize thoughts, notes or to tell simple things can help aid students in a minimal task, but doesn’t disrupt greater learning done in the classroom.
On the other hand, majors like nursing have a strict policy regarding AI.
The use of AI in these classrooms result in a zero, failure of class or dismissal from the nursing program.
These AI violations are put in place so students learn what they need to know once they go out into the workforce. AI doesn’t know how to diagnose or can’t create a specific care plan to help a person for their specific needs.
Additionally, the use of AI can be seen as a breach of HIPPA law, which protects patients’ rights to privacy.
All of NMU’s departments have different guidelines to their AI policies. While reviewing AI policies for students, the North Winds Editorial Board began to wonder what policies were put in place for our professors. Do they have to follow the same standards we do? If we’re paying thousands of dollars to be at a university where is the transparency among the faculty teaching us with their policies? We know what will happen to us as students if we use AI incorrectly, but what about those teaching us? Conversations on the first day of class about AI should be deeper than just its effect on our grades if we use it. We need to dive deeper into the topic if it’s going to be our future like our professors say.
Some say AI is inevitable and will only grow from where it is right now. The question is if that means we should be incorporating it into our classrooms.
The Editorial Board all agreed to some extent that AI’s use should be limited. When in moderation, and at the correct times, AI can be a helpful tool, but it is a double edged sword. The use of too much AI makes the degree you get after all your “hard work” less valuable. There is also the risk of getting outsourced by people who didn’t ask their AI chatbot for help on every exam. So, next time you go to open up an AI helper, think to yourself, is this helping or harming my degree?
