This week, the MDDE663, Emerging Issues in Distance Education Technologies, is in week 3.  Honestly, after reading and listening to their experience with emerging technologies such as AI and ChatGPT in the introduction and synchronous session in the first two weeks, I was so nervous about this course because I am not sure if I have enough knowledge and practical skills in AI or ChatGPT. One of my classmates even used Bing Chat (Chat GPT powered by GPT-4) to create her technology timeline!

The CBS Saturday Morning interview with Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, has given me knowledge of how AI works, its benefits, and the AI revolution.  I learned a new word “deep learning” in this interview which is a popular approach to machine learning.

My biggest concern about AI was that this technology could be smarter than humans and do anything. Their IQ is more than Albert Einstein's, they can be smarter and smarter each year! Maybe, in the future, we will not have our own opinions anymore because they can answer everything. Will AI wipe out humanity?

Geoffrey Hinton and other reading materials about AI in week 2 agreed that AI possibly can wipe out humanity.  However, we, as humans, need to embrace and utilize AI synergy and use them to help and support our work since we cannot stop technology. In education, we can use AI and ChatGPT as our “digital assistants” to accelerate and become increasingly productive in building teaching and learning environments that are more engaging, passionate, and effective.

Gillani et al. (2023) shared all the benefits and limitations of AI in education and mentioned that one of AI’s limitations is AI has a lack of abstract reasoning and learning how to learn. Meanwhile, Humans are very good at it.

Another element that I think is important to remember is technology cannot replace the human connection. Every aspect of our lives including our jobs depends on human connection. This will never go away. Gawdat (2023), ex-Google CBO, said that your life purpose is you and your only product at the end of your life is how far you’ve come. Thus, the human connection will remain available.

One of my classmates posted that she found ChatGPT very helpful in creating a pop quiz. Yuen (2023) added that ChatGPT is incredibly fast at coming up with ideas and lessons. Wow, this is amazing.  I usually use H5P to create a pop quiz. Yuen (2023) also suggested her learners keep the window open with ChatGPT so that they can cross-check materials or ask questions as they arise. I am amazed at how many people have used this technology in their daily lives. At my work, we are still debating whether our learners and staff could use ChatGPT.  Using ChatGPT is still considered plagiarism at my institution.

Now, I realize that AI and ChatGPT can be beneficial if we embrace and use them wisely to be our digital assistants to accelerate our work. It is time for me to have practical experience in using AI and experience the benefits of it!

REFERENCES:

Gillani, N., Eynon, R., Chiabaut, C., & Finkel, K. (2023). Unpacking the “Black Box” of AI in Education. Educational Technology & Society, 26(1), 99-111.

James Laughlin. (2023, September 13). Urgent: Ex-Google CBO says AI is now IMPOSSIBLE to stop with Mo Gawdat. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fDHvUviV8nk?si=K2mMDFnS2ghyyVnR