Artificial Intelligence

AI can help students in their studies by offering a number of tools to advance learning. The list below features some of the ways in which AI can be used by students. As always, be aware that AI is a field that is constantly evolving. Examples, feedback, information, and suggestions from AI are not always reliable. Always verify the information being provided to you to ensure accuracy. 

• Grammar
  • AI is already being used to correct grammar and syntax errors and suggest edits in writing. Beyond these forms of AI, students can utilize chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini to inquire about rules of grammar and check for grammatical errors.
    • Example: When do I use a colon and when do I use a semicolon?
• Language Learning
  •  Chatbots can also chat with students in a number of languages. This is great for students to practice their language skills. 
    • Example: ¿Puedes ayudarme a practicar mi español?
• Outline Creation
  • Once a topic or ideas have been chosen to discuss in a paper or project, AI can provide ideas on how to structure and organize.
    • Example: I am writing a paper on Hamlet and discussing the themes of sanity, corruption, and revenge. What are some options for the structure of the paper?
• Practice Questions
  • AI can generate practice questions and practice tests as well as explain their solutions. 
    • Example: What are some practice questions on the topic of the industrial revolution? 

AI has a wide range of applications in a variety of sectors from education to transportation. Some of these applications are already visible in our daily lives including autocorrect and virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa. While not exhaustive, the list below highlights some of the advantages that AI presents.

• Accessibility
  • There are many AI-driven tools that work to make environments and systems more accessible. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text are both examples of how AI can be used to advance accessibility.
    • AI & Accessibility - Center for Teaching Innovation, Cornell University
• Automation
  • Automation of certain tasks or procedures can increase productivity. These automations can be particularly useful for manufacturers.
    • What is Intelligent Automation? - IBM
• Pattern recognition
  • Many AI models are trained to identify patterns which allow them to detect anomalies. Banking and financial institutions often use this type of AI to fight against theft. 
    • What is Pattern Recognition? A Gentle Introduction - Gaudenz Boesch, Visio AI (November 2023)
• Predicting outcomes
  • Similar to pattern recognition, AI can be useful in terms of predicting or forecasting as it relies on patterns from previous data. 
    • The Role of AI in Forecasting and Where It Falls Short - Vineet Jain, Association for Financial Professionals (September 2023)

There are a number of limitations to AI as a whole and to specific types of AI such as generative AI. Many of its limitations stem from the fact that AI draws from a vast amount of data regardless of its quality. While the list below provides insights into these limitations, it is not an exhaustive list. 

• Data accuracy and reliability
  • Since AI draws from large amounts of existing data, there is potential for the data it provides to contain biases, inaccuracies, or unreliable information.
    • When AI Gets It Wrong: Addressing AI Hallucinations and Bias - MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies
• Disinformation and Misinformation
  • AI can be used to create and/or amplify disinformation and misinformation. This includes but is not limited to the creation of deep fakes, bot networks, and social media amplification efforts. 
    • How Generative AI is Boosting the Spread of Disinformation and Propaganda - Tate Ryan-Mosley, MIT Technology Review
• Ethical concerns
  • There are a number of ethical concerns related to the use of AI. More on these concerns can be found on the "Ethics" page on the menu to the left.