Discussions of artificial intelligence, or AI, are everywhere these days. With each new week there seems to be a new tool that can write text, create images, or solve other problems. But what exactly is AI, and just what can it—and can it not—accomplish?
Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science. Its goal is to create computer programs or tools that can mimic human intelligence and complete tasks that generally require human skills. AI tools are helping with critical thinking and analysis tasks in many fields, such as medicine and engineering. Recently, many new tools have been released that can produce writing and create art, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL-E, Google’s Bard, and Adobe’s Firefly.
Image generated using NightCafe from the prompt 'two students walking together on a university campus in the style of a post-impressionist painting'. Image by RMIT, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
Can I use generative-AI tools to help with my assignments?
It’s important check with your instructor whether you’re permitted to use AI tools when completing an assignment. Even if using AI tools is allowed, relying on them too much could mean that you don’t learn the necessary skills of your course. And if you use AI tools when it isn’t permitted, that would be a breach of academic integrity.
Another important point is that many generative-text AI tools, such as the current version of ChatGPT, were not designed to provide sources. Because they are simply models of how language works, they have no concept of 'information' or where it might have come from. This means that when asked for the source of information, they will make up books and journal articles that sound real, but don't actually exist.
Finally, you should be aware that the companies who have developed AI tools will often save any information that you enter to continue training their tools. You should not upload any documents that you don't own, such as course materials or readings, to external AI tools. To keep your data private and secure, RMIT has developed Val, which is a generative-text AI tool that won't share your information. Learn more about how to use Val effectively and appropriately in your studies in the Generative AI for students at RMIT module.
