New AIdeas: Empowering Students with AI--Possibilities and Precautions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, and the education sector is no exception. With generative AI tools and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, students and educators have free access to some of the most advanced AI models globally. However, as with any powerful tool, AI brings not only new possibilities but also fresh challenges. In this ever-evolving landscape, students can leverage AI in multiple ways to enhance their learning, making education more efficient and effective. In collaboration with experts Ethan and Lilach Mollick, we explore these incredible opportunities and provide a compass for educators to guide students effectively.

Student Guidelines for Proper AI Use
Before we dive into the diverse student use cases for AI, it's crucial to establish guidelines for responsible and effective AI utilization. These guidelines are invaluable as they ensure students understand the AI landscape, its capabilities, limitations, and potential pitfalls:

Understanding LLMs 

LLMs like ChatGPT are trained on vast datasets to predict the next word in written text. However, without specific instructions, they can sometimes produce incorrect or misleading information. There is no user manual for LLMs, so it's essential to approach their responses critically. These models don't possess genuine understanding and may make mistakes. Students are accountable for verifying the accuracy of their outputs.

Benefits and Challenges of Working with LLMs 

AI can generate fabricated or incorrect information, so students should not take responses at face value. Even when AI provides a number or fact, students should remain skeptical until they can verify it. Furthermore, LLMs can carry biases from their training data, including gender, racial, or ideological biases. This necessitates a critical evaluation of AI responses. Privacy is also a concern, as data entered into AI systems could be used for future training, with the extent of privacy protection varying between models.

Best Practices for AI Interactions 

Interacting with AI demands a few best practices:

• Accountability: Students are responsible for their work and should critically evaluate the AI's advice or explanations.
• AI as a Non-Person: While AI might seem human-like in responses, it lacks personal understanding and might get stuck in loops.
• Unpredictability: AI's responses can vary significantly even with the same prompt, so students should expect different results.
• Taking Charge: Students should direct AI when needed and only share information they are comfortable with.
• Trying Different LLMs: If a prompt doesn't work with one LLM, students can try another, as AI outputs can vary significantly between models.

Effective Communication with AI 

To communicate effectively with AI, students can:

• Seek Clarity: If an answer isn't clear, students can ask the AI for more in-depth explanations or examples.
• Provide Context: Giving AI context for their queries can yield more accurate responses.
• Don't Assume AI Memory: Students should remind AI of the conversation context when necessary and keep asking questions.

Preparing Students for AI-Enabled Learning
These guidelines provide a foundation for students to understand AI's nature and communicate more effectively with these tools. By sharing these guidelines, educators equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for productive AI interactions.

Student Use Cases for AI
With these guidelines in place, students can explore various use cases for AI:

• AI as Feedback Generator: Enhances educators' ability to provide timely feedback.
• AI as Personal Tutor: Offers personalized learning experiences.
• AI as Team Coach: Supports collaborative projects and group work.
• AI as Learner: Fosters a deep understanding of topics through interactive learning.

As we embark on this journey, AI becomes a valuable partner in education. It empowers students, makes learning more engaging, and prepares them for a future where AI is an integral part of their lives.