Around 10 years ago if we were to just imagine, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that understands context, nuance, and even humour, we would probably tell them it’s a highly unachievable futuristic concept. However, the reality now is that it is no longer just a futuristic concept, it’s the reality of ChatGPT.
ChatGPT is part of a class of AI called large language models (LLMs), designed to understand and generate human-like text. One may be astonished about this unique creation and invention, to achieve this, researchers trained a type of AI model called GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) using lots of text from books, websites, and other written sources. The AI learned how to understand and generate text by predicting the next word in a sentence. It was trained with deep learning, a method that helps the AI understand patterns in language. For example, ChatGPT’s ability to understand humour comes from patterns in the data it was trained on, which includes a variety of texts be it books, articles, jokes, and more.
As a generative AI model, ChatGPT has redefined how we interact with technology. It teaches us how to navigate technology, and this in fact is seamlessly bridging the gap between human-like communication and machine learning.
In a way, this is how human brains function too. According to the International organisation of standardisation (ISO), deep learning is inspired by the way the human brain works, particularly in terms of how it processes information. In both the brain and deep learning models, there are “neurons” that work together to recognise patterns and make decisions.
ChatGPT also offers numerous advantages, such as 24/7 accessibility, quick responses, and personalised assistance for learning, writing, and problem-solving. It can also help university students by providing personalised assistance for studying, including explaining complex concepts, summarising readings, and generating ideas for essays or projects. While this serves as a great help for them, does it actually hinder the student’s ability to think and their creative process?
While ChatGPT can support creativity by generating ideas and providing suggestions, it might also limit students’ independent thinking if overused. When students rely too much on AI for brainstorming or content creation, they might skip the crucial process of developing their own ideas, analysing problems, and making creative decisions. This can hinder their ability to think critically and come up with original solutions.
Essentially, while AI can be a helpful tool in the creative process, it’s important for students to balance its use with opportunities for independent thinking and problem-solving to fully develop their creative skills.
By providing instant answers and generating content, it can reduce the need for deep thinking, problem-solving, and independent research, potentially leading to a decline in critical thinking skills. This could create a dependency on external sources for solutions, weakening cognitive abilities like analytical thinking and innovation, which are essential for personal and professional growth. This dependency may result in individuals becoming less confident in their ability to handle challenges on their own, as they might seek quick answers or solutions from the AI rather than putting in the effort to think critically.
Furthermore, over-dependence on ChatGPT could diminish individuals’ creativity, as they may rely on the AI’s suggestions rather than brainstorming their own ideas or approaching problems from new angles. This dependency may create a sense of reliance on technology even for the most basic tasks, potentially diminishing self-reliance and the ability to think critically without external support.
Future iterations are expected to be even more advanced. However, its growth must be tempered with responsible development and ethical oversight to ensure that the technology benefits society as a whole. This brings us back to the question, will AI like ChatGPT remain our assistant? Or something far more sinister? Well, maybe instead AI can evolve to be a valuable partner to humanity instead of an assistant with careful oversight and collaboration. Only time will tell.
