Young People on the Precipice of Their Careers
For 21-year-old Rebeca Damico, ChatGPT’s public release in 2022 marked a significant moment during her sophomore year at the University of Utah. The public relations student expressed her feelings of anxiety as professors quickly instituted policies banning the use of this generative AI tool, labeling it as a form of plagiarism.
‘For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared,’ Damico stated. ‘I was like, oh, I can’t, you know, even think about using it, because they’ll know.’
Having switched from journalism to public relations, Damico perceives tools like ChatGPT as a considerable threat to the writing industry, while also acknowledging the ‘temptation’ such technologies present to efficiency-seeking students.
The Mixed Messages Students Are Receiving
Students find themselves in a dilemma: on one hand, they are cautioned by their professors against AI use, while on the other, they face increasing market pressure to master these technologies.
Governments across various states are recognizing the potential of AI to open new job opportunities. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a statewide partnership with a tech firm to provide AI curriculum resources in public colleges.
The University of Utah’s AI Policies
The University of Utah has taken a rigorous approach to generative AI. The institution revised its student handbook to include stringent guidelines that define unapproved AI tool usage as cheating.
While some professors maintain strict stances against AI, others embrace it, leading to a spectrum of approaches regarding AI use in classrooms.
Broader Perspectives on AI in Higher Education
Virginia Byrne, an associate professor at Morgan State University, emphasizes that students need to see AI as a tool that could improve their lives while also grappling with the complications and expectations it entails.
Byrne pointed out the worry about an ‘artificial expectation’ of performance created by these technologies, which may set unrealistic standards for young professionals. She expressed concern that young individuals might feel pressured to produce flawless digital representations of themselves online.
Looking Toward a Post-Graduation Future with AI
As Damico begins her transition into the workforce, she acknowledges the dual nature of AI in her field: a necessary asset for her professional toolkit while also representing an ongoing challenge in terms of academic integrity.
‘It gives you kind of this edge,’ Damico concluded, highlighting the importance of understanding generative AI in a modern workplace. Meanwhile, MBA student Shriya Boppana embraces her strong passion for AI technologies, advocating for its potential in areas like healthcare and telecommunications.
‘There’s so much beauty in the way that AI helps human beings,’ Boppana reflected, urging her peers to find their place within this changing technological landscape.
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