ChatGPT: What It Is, How It Could Change College Admissions, and How to Talk to Your Kids About It
Everywhere on the internet, people are talking about ChatGPT, which just got a major investment from Microsoft to the tune of $10 billion. Seriously. And we’re starting to get a lot of questions about it: what it is, how students are using it, how it might change the college admissions process, and how parents should be talking to their kids about it.
If you’ve ever used it, you know exactly how powerful a tool it is. It’s hard to think of a technological innovation since the Internet or the iPhone that has as much power to change the world as ChatGPT. But with that potential for change comes very real risks and consequences.
So, let’s talk about it.
And we thought, what better way to show you the power of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence than to show you exactly what it’s capable of. Everything that follows below was created entirely using ChatGPT, with no edits.
What is ChatGPT, Anyway?
ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI. It is trained on a vast amount of text data and can generate human-like text based on the input it receives. This makes it a useful tool for a variety of applications, such as language translation, text summarization, and even creative writing.
One area where ChatGPT has the potential to be used is in the field of education. As more and more children are growing up with access to technology, it is becoming increasingly common for them to use language models like ChatGPT for their homework and other school projects. While this can be a great way for children to learn and improve their language skills, parents need to be aware of the potential risks and limitations of using such tools.
What Are the Risks and Why is Everyone So Worried?
One potential risk is that children may rely too heavily on ChatGPT and become less proficient in writing and thinking critically. They may also become accustomed to the instant gratification that comes with using a tool like ChatGPT and may have difficulty with tasks that require more time and effort. Additionally, if children are using ChatGPT to complete their schoolwork, they may not be developing the critical thinking skills that are so important for success in the classroom and beyond.
Another concern is that children may be using ChatGPT to cheat on their assignments. It is important for parents to talk to their children about the importance of honesty and integrity when it comes to completing schoolwork. They should also encourage their children to use ChatGPT as a tool to help them learn and improve their language skills, rather than as a way to take shortcuts or cheat.
In college admissions, ChatGPT could be used to write essays, personal statements, and even letters of recommendation, which could potentially change the way colleges evaluate applicants. With the ability to generate human-like text, it could be difficult for college admissions officers to distinguish between text written by an applicant and text generated by a language model like ChatGPT. This could lead to an uneven playing field where applicants who use ChatGPT have an unfair advantage over those who do not.
However, it is important to note that using ChatGPT for college admissions would be considered cheating and could result in disqualification from the application process.
How Are Schools Evolving to Respond to ChatGPT?
High schools and colleges are responding to the use of ChatGPT in different ways. Some schools have implemented strict policies against the use of language models like ChatGPT for completing schoolwork, while others are taking a more nuanced approach.
In high schools, some teachers are incorporating the use of language models like ChatGPT into their curriculum as a way to teach students about the technology and its potential uses. This can include using ChatGPT as a tool for writing assignments, helping students to improve their grammar, or allowing them to use it as a writing aid. However, many high schools also have strict policies in place to prevent cheating, and may prohibit the use of ChatGPT for completing assignments or taking exams. Consequences for cheating may range from failing the assignment to expulsion from school.
In colleges, the response to ChatGPT has been more varied. Some colleges have implemented strict policies against the use of language models for completing assignments, and may have plagiarism detection software in place to detect text generated by ChatGPT. However, other colleges may be more open to the use of technology in the classroom and may encourage students to use ChatGPT as a tool for learning and improving their language skills.
Moreover, some colleges have implemented strict policies against the use of ChatGPT for college admissions. Upon submission of an application, applicants agree that what they are submitting is an accurate representation of their academic work. If caught prior to an admission decision, the application will be withdrawn. If caught after an admit decision, their offer of admission will be rescinded. They may also have sophisticated plagiarism detection software in place to detect text generated by ChatGPT.
As ChatGPT and other language models become more advanced, technology is also evolving to be able to identify essays and other written work that has been generated by these models. One approach is using plagiarism detection software that can analyze text and detect patterns that are characteristic of text generated by language models. This software can also use machine learning algorithms to learn the characteristics of text generated by models like ChatGPT and then use that knowledge to identify similar text in the future.
Another approach is to use natural language processing (NLP) techniques to analyze the language and style of the text, looking for signs that it may have been generated by a machine. For example, a text generated by a language model may have a higher frequency of grammar errors or may lack the natural flow and coherence of text written by a human.
Moreover, the technology is also evolving to be able to detect the usage of certain words or phrases that are common in generated text, like repetitive words and phrases, or the lack of a personal tone.
It is important to note that these technologies are not foolproof and will likely continue to evolve as language models become more sophisticated. However, it is clear that as the technology evolves, it will become increasingly difficult for individuals to use language models like ChatGPT to cheat on college admissions and other written assignments.
How Should You Talk To Your Kids About Chat GPT
As a parent, it is important to be aware of the potential uses and risks of new technologies like ChatGPT and to have open and honest conversations with your children about their use. Here are five tips for parents to talk to their kids about using ChatGPT:
Encourage your child to use ChatGPT as a tool to enhance their language skills and knowledge, rather than as a way to take shortcuts or cheat.
Discuss the importance of honesty and integrity when it comes to completing schoolwork and explain that using ChatGPT to cheat on assignments is not acceptable.
Help your child understand the limitations of using a language model like ChatGPT. While it can be a useful tool, it should not be relied upon too heavily and should not replace critical thinking and writing skills.
Talk to your child about the potential risks of using ChatGPT, such as becoming too reliant on it and not developing critical thinking skills.
Remind your child that using ChatGPT for college admissions would be considered cheating and could result in disqualification from the application process. Encourage them to use their own skills and abilities to write essays, personal statements and letters of recommendation.
In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful language model that can be used for a variety of applications, including education and college admissions. However, it is important for parents to be aware of the potential risks and limitations of using such tools and to talk to their children about the importance of honesty and integrity when it comes to completing schoolwork. Additionally, it is important to note that using ChatGPT for college admissions would be considered cheating. As the technology continues to advance, it will be important to continue to monitor how it is used and ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical manner.