Pros of AI in School

This article was not written by ChatGPT, but it very well could have been. As the artificial intelligence world learns to adapt and seep through the gaps of our detection system, it evolves at a deplorable rate with humanizers, paraphrasers, and other ingenious developments to mask its footprints. If masking technology continues to progress at the rate it is, it seems inevitable that an AI-generated essay will be indistinguishable from a human-written one.

PHS administration attempted to solve this problem of totalistic AI usage through the banning of the ringleader, ChatGPT. However, shunning the idea of AI usage makes it a “forbidden fruit” all the more appealing to students, and encourages methods like AI humanizers to create less detectable ways of cheating. History proves this fact; look towards large-scale events such as Prohibition or crackdowns on the drug trade in recent years. Instead of curbing the usage of said substances, it only encouraged perpetrators to create more discrete and undetectable methods. However, Principal Cecilia Birge acknowledges this issue, clarifying that the arrangement of banning ChatGPT is not here to stay.

“I have no doubt it is temporary,” said Birge. “I just don’t know how temporary it is. I also think this tug-of-war between innovation and regulation will continue and become even more intense.”

Although temporary, this solution poses a serious threat to the overarching effort against AI usage. Despite the intention to limit unsolicited usage, students can simply rely on other tools that complete the same purpose. It only serves to expedite the tug-of-war that Birge alluded to as regulation takes longer than innovation. Hence, regulatory focus should be pivoted towards accepting AI’s place amongst the giants, educating ourselves about it and using it as a tool. Our school should consider educating teachers on how to incorporate AI into their classes or possibly even having a required elective about responsible and effective AI usage, similar to how PIRL and Personal Finance are required.

“[AI] replaces everyone that is less competent than it,” said computer science teacher Edward Yin.

There are certainly reasons to fear the rise of AI. It consumes mountains of energy and moves thousands of gallons of water, but unfortunately, top companies do not care about negative impacts. Morality has never stopped innovation and it certainly will not this time, as we already see billions of dollars being invested in the field. There is no reason to believe that the well-meaning will be able to change the minds of the greedy. It is imperative that our district accept that AI is here, and regardless of whether it will stay, students should adapt to new technology for the sake of their future; someone who cannot use AI to improve their productivity will always be outcompeted by someone who can. Yin’s approach is to maintain a traditional approach to his class and integrate AI later. Although PHS is trying to devise a more holistic approach to AI, an all-out ban is not as beneficial as it may first seem. AI is not an enemy, but it’s possible to make it one.