The growth of technological development is impossible to ignore, especially in lectures when the desks appear to be a sea of pixilated notes on laptops. It appears as though AI has officially snuck its way into the academic sphere, as what was once an entire afternoon spent in the library attempting to collaborate notes has now become a simple search on ChatGPT. But the assistance of AI in the attainment of a university degree has left me extremely divided. On the one hand, its ability to formulate easy to read notes and practice questions is something that cuts down study time which may be spent on trivial tasks, allowing students to focus on the important aspects of their learning: the availability of Gemini, which is now intertwined with Google, makes it easier to check a piece of information or a fact before continuing with work. On the other hand, there is an element of AI which feels undoubtedly unethical, stripping us of our utmost potential as higher education students.
"...there is an element of AI which feels undoubtedly unethical, stripping us of our utmost potential as higher education students."
I would argue that the use of AI is entirely dependent upon a multitude of factors, including the way it is being approached, the course being studied (arguably those in the humanities should be tapping into the more subjective side of their thought, unlike the objective study of STEM), and the degree at which it still allows the student to progress in their education and career. Last year, it was reported from a study that an estimated 92% of undergraduates use some form of AI in their work, which urged universities to check assignments in more detail for its presence. With this statistic, it is almost impossible to avoid feeling a sense of pressure surrounding academic work, encouraging AI use in order to prevent falling behind; there must be a feeling of frustration that arises if you know someone on your course has been doing better because they have found a way to successfully incorporate it into their learning.
"With this statistic, it is almost impossible to avoid feeling a sense of pressure surrounding academic work..."
It is undisputed that the development of AI is at an all-time high and will most likely continue to grow, therefore making it something we can no longer ignore or hide from. Perhaps AI will become so normalised in learning that it will be difficult to remember a time without it, similar to how projectors have replaced blackboards at the front of the lecture hall. Seeping into everything we do online, AI is present whether you are aware of it or not, leading us to question if even the biggest moralists for human creativity and independent thought will eventually have to abandon their stubbornness and make room for it in their academic lives and future careers.