Generative Technology And Education: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing a high pointer undergraduate in one of the prestigious universities in Nigeria, I wanted to learn how the modern day Artificial Intelligence has affected learning in her Institution.

In the course of interviewing her, she informed me about the concerning rise of academic malpractice facilitated by the use of generative technology, particularly ChatGPT.

The student lamented that cheating during exams had escalated due to the availability of this AI-powered tool.

In the age of artificial intelligence, where ChatGPT stands as a prominent example, the educational sector faces both opportunities and challenges, leaving us with numerous questions about its effects on this transformative institution that shapes future leaders.

This blog x-rays the impact of generative technology in educational sector, giving a clearer direction to the causes and effects of generative AI, as well as how its numerous negativities can be bridled so as not to corrupt the young generation.

The Rise of Generative Technology In Education

Generative technology as known by both Dick and Harry is an AI-powered technology that has the ability to create new and original content as well as modify old ones.

It’s as simple as having a computer program that come up with ideas, write stories, compose music or even generate images without direct human input.

In recent years the integration of these generative technologies into the education sector has been on the increase, these tools have found their ways into classrooms and all learning facets of the modern day.

Students no longer depend on the research mode of scanning through the library to search for books for assignments and projects. Even making use of Google search engine has become a relic when you can just insert the right prompt in a tool like ChatGPT and you will get a wowing result.

One significant factor that is serving as a propelling force to this modern technology in the education is its ability to personalize learning.

These AI-powered platforms have the propensity of analyzing individual students’ strength and weaknesses, tailoring education content to suit their unique needs.

Little wonder the level of adoption of this technology both by students and educators alike tend to be skyrocketing.

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The Good: Benefits of Generative Technology in Education

Even the blind can see that this technology has offered a new breathing space in the area of education, though we will go ahead to mention the bad sides, but it is important that we state the necessary fact which is that this technology has really transformed the field of education.

It has affected and effected the way students learn, the way teachers instruct and generally the method of operations in many educational institutions.

Some of the key inputs of this generative technology in educational sector are as follows:

Enhanced Research Abilities:

As I stated initially, AI-driven generative technology significantly aids research efforts in education. These days, researchers utilize the AI algorithm to process vast amount of data, saving both time and resources. This research leads to more informed data and conclusions.

Automation of Administration:

Educators no longer rely on the traditional method of administration, which according to them is prone to error and time-consuming.

The AI-powered grading systems, for instance, can efficiently help assess student assignments and tests, providing immediate feedback and also saving the teacher the burden and the back-breaking burden that accompanies instance, manual grading.

Inclusive Education:

This awesome technology has shown potential in supporting inclusive education by accommodating diverse learning abilities.

Real-time success stories demonstrate how AI has positively impacted inclusive education by improving retention rates and boosting students’ self-esteem in special education settings.

Global Access to Quality Education:

This happens to be the hallmark of the success accredited to generative technology. Today, this powerful technology has paved the way for greater access to quality education. The various online AI-powered platforms now make it extremely possible for students in very remote areas to access educational resources, hence receiving a personalized learning experience which was previously limited to more urban and well-funded institutions.

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The Bad: Challenges And Ethical Concerns OF Generative Technology In Education

While we can go ahead to sing the praises of this Artificial intelligence, it is true to say that this rapid increase of generative technology in education also came along with its Pandora’s Box; a host of challenges that must be carefully addressed.

Academic Malpractice:

As earlier confirmed by my interview with the undergraduate, one primary challenge stemming from the integration of generative technology is the risk of academic malpractice.

Since these AI tools are capable of generating content autonomously, students now abuse its usage in plagiarizing essays, assignments and even exam answers.

The above poses a significant threat to the integrity of educational assessments and raises concerns regarding academic honesty. Since education happens to be the foundation of societal continuity, this abuse of generative technology really hit hard on the walls of our future.

Potential Job Displacement For Educators:

For many years we have been speaking of the potential of artificial intelligence to replace some people in certain sectors, those times of which we spoke about are now upon us.

AI has the capacity to automate certain administrative tasks and even deliver instructional content. This has resulted in the question of the future role of human educators.

Bias in AI-Generated Content:

We know that the AI algorithm only learn from data that is already existing and if that data contains biases which is very likely, the generated content will perpetuate biases.

In the area of education, this raises quite a great worry, as AI-generated textbooks and educational materials may contain a view of history or human existence that reinforce stereotypes and racism.

Data Privacy Concerns:

This extensive use of AI in educational setting involves the collection and processing of large volumes of student data. This raises serious data privacy concerns because sensitive information about students may be at risk of breaches or unauthorized access.

Overreliance On AI:

I recall a certain time when ChatGPT was having technical issues and not functioning properly, this singular occurrence affected my productivity for the day. That was when I realized how addictive the usage of generative technology can be.

This growing prevalence of generative technology in education is driving students to rely so much on AI-driven solutions, hence sidelining other valuable teaching and human pedagogy.

Development, creativity and critical thinking among students have received a serious blow that we might not recover from due to the overreliance on generative technology among students.

And as we look towards the future, it looks as if this bad side of AI is getting worse and spiraling out of control.

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Bridling The Negativities: Strategies For Responsible Integration Of Generative Technology In Education

With speed at which this generative technology is taking over the education sector, the question remains, how can we chain this mad man that is close to ruining the very walls of our civilization?. Here are some of the approaches that should be taken speedily

Establishment of Clear AI Guidelines:

At this critical stage, educational institutions across countries should walk hand in hand with policymakers and technology developers to create crystal clear and comprehensive guidelines for the use of generative technology in Education.

Implement Ethical AI Education:

Another strategy that should be considered in fighting the imminent nemesis of AI in the educational sector is to introduce educational programs that teach students about the ethical implications of AI and the responsible use of generative technology.

When this awareness is promoted, students will develop a sense of responsibility and integrity in their use of AI tools.

Emphasize Critical Thinking Skills:

No doubt, AI can be a valuable tool in education, but it is very important that students should prioritize critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Educators must be encouraged to design lessons that that foster analytical thinking amongst students and the less use of generative technology.

Conclusion

If there is any sector in our society whose integrity should never be tampered with, that sector is the educational sector. With the rise of generative tools like ChatGPT, GPT4, Midjourney, Bard and its like, this sector now lies at the face of compromise.

It now lies in the hands of all and sundry to put a stop or find a way out of this seemingly dark tunnel because when the students are lost, the future will fade like a shadow at sun down.

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