College Students Navigate Mixed Messages on AI
For 21-year-old Rebeca Damico, ChatGPT’s public release in 2022 during her sophomore year at the University of Utah felt like a daunting challenge. As a public relations student on the brink of graduation, Damico found herself grappling with new policies prohibiting the use of generative AI tools in class, equating its usage to academic dishonesty.
Damico expressed her concerns, stating, ‘For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared. I was like, oh, I can’t even think about using it, because they’ll know.’
The Double-Edged Sword of AI
As technological advancements in AI create new job opportunities, students like Damico are caught in a dilemma. They receive stern warnings from professors against using AI, yet they feel the growing pressure to master the technology due to its rising prevalence in various industries.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a partnership with tech firms to integrate AI resources into public college curricula. This signifies a shift toward recognizing the importance of AI skills in the job market.
Higher Education’s Response to AI
Universities are evolving in their approach to AI usage. For instance, the University of Utah has established guidelines that classify unapproved use of AI as cheating. Nevertheless, responses among professors vary, with some strictly forbidding AI, while others explore its educational potential.
This sentiment reflects the varied views across academic institutions. Some universities maintain a unified stance, while others allow faculty to dictate AI usage in their classrooms.
Discussions around AI’s Ethical Implications
Virginia Byrne, an associate professor at Morgan State University, emphasizes the dual-edged nature of AI. While it holds the potential to simplify tasks and boost productivity, she cautions that it may create unrealistic expectations among students about performance and efficiency online.
‘It might lead some younger folks to feel they need to use tools to look perfect or optimize their time,’ Byrne said.
Real-World Applications and Student Experiences
In the realm of real-world applications, students like Shriya Boppana, an MBA student at Duke University, actively leverage AI tools in their daily tasks. Boppana highlights the importance of understanding AI’s evolving capabilities and its potential to revolutionize industries.
On the flip side, students such as Parris Haynes, a junior studying philosophy at Morgan State, express reservations about AI’s role in higher-level academic work. He argues that writing a philosophical paper is a personal journey that AI cannot replicate.
Gen Z’s Outlook on Future Careers
Despite their apprehensions, many students acknowledge the necessity of embracing AI in their future careers. Damico reflects on her experience at a PR firm where she recognized AI’s potential for streamlining complex tasks. She mentioned, ‘It gives you kind of this edge.’
As the dialogue around AI continues to unfold, Gen Z remains ‘cautiously curious.’ They recognize both the opportunities and challenges that come with integrating AI into their education and careers, navigating a world where technology and ethics intersect.
