The Role of AI in Academia: Navigating the New Norm
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday life, educators and students are grappling with its impact on academic practices. The use of AI in education is sparking debates about its benefits and drawbacks, particularly in the realm of humanities.
Dan Cryer, an English professor at Johnson County Community College in Kansas, likens using AI for essay writing to using a forklift in the gym. “If all we needed was the weights moved, then that would be great,” Cryer explains. “But we need the muscles developed, and students going through the process of writing are developing those muscles.”
AI tools have added a new layer of responsibility for educators, who must now assess the authenticity of students’ work. This challenge is exacerbated by the availability of AI tools provided by many colleges, including Cryer’s institution.
Cryer also notes that students face the challenge of discerning between responsible and irresponsible AI usage. “It’s not fair to them,” he states.
Generative AI has become commonplace since the introduction of ChatGPT over three years ago. A survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and the Generation Lab reveals that 85% of undergraduates use AI for coursework, with some employing it to write entire essays. However, more than half have mixed feelings, indicating that while AI can assist, it may also hinder deep thinking.
Aysa Tarana, a University of Minnesota graduate, recalls her initial use of AI for minor tasks, such as generating research topics. “I was outsourcing my thinking, and that felt really weird,” she admits, ultimately deciding to cease using AI.
After dedicating a sabbatical to studying AI, Cryer concluded that minimal use of AI in education is optimal. “What we need is students to go through the process of writing research papers so they can become better thinkers,” he argues.
Embracing AI as a Learning Tool
Conversely, Leslie Clement, a professor in Charlotte, N.C., views AI as a beneficial tool that can enhance learning. At Johnson C. Smith University, Clement encourages students to use AI responsibly. She allows AI for tasks like creating paper outlines and comparing information sources.
Clement co-developed a course titled “African Diaspora and AI,” exploring AI’s global impact on people of African descent. The course includes discussions on the hazardous mining of cobalt in Congo and the contributions of Black scientists.
“We’re looking at Afrofuturism, how students can use these tools to reimagine their futures,” Clement says. She emphasizes the importance of critical and ethical thinking in AI use.
AI as an Educational Support
In Durham, N.C., Duke University student Anjali Tatini uses AI to aid her studies in global health and neuroscience. AI tools have helped her grasp complex biology concepts, and she utilizes them for practice problems and brainstorming in other subjects.
“I have jobs, I have other classes, I have clubs. I don’t have the time always to make all these office hours,” Tatini explains, appreciating AI’s availability for on-demand assistance.
However, Tatini draws the line at using AI to write her work, preferring to maintain her voice in her writing.
“Your Work is Your Unique Contribution”
Hannah Elder, a pre-law student at the University of North Carolina, values originality in her academic work. “I’m such a strong believer in cultivating your own thoughts and being able to articulate them,” she emphasizes.
Elder uses AI for proofreading and rubric checks but refrains from using it to generate ideas. She believes that producing and articulating one’s own thoughts is crucial, a sentiment echoed in her use of notebook paper for notes.
While Elder acknowledges AI’s presence in academia, she advocates for responsible integration into curricula. “If teachers incorporate it in a responsible way through academics,” she says, “it’ll be seen less as a cheat code and more just like, ‘Oh, here’s the reality of this, and here’s how I can use it well.'”
This reporting was supported by a grant from the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism and the Omidyar Network’s Reporters in Residence program.
