GENERATIVE AI

What is Generative AI:

 

Generative artificial intelligence is artificial intelligence capable of generating text, images, or other media, using generative models. Generative AI models learn the patterns and structure of their input training data and then generate new data that has similar characteristics. (What Is Generative AI?, 2023)

Analytics Insight. (2021). Understanding Generative AI, Its Impacts and Limitations [YouTube Video].

 

Generative AI Tools?

 

Text-based tools

  • ChaptGPT: ChatGPT, which stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a large language model–based chatbot developed by OpenAI and launched on November 30, 2022, which enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language used
  • Bing Chat: is a collaboration between Microsoft’s search engine and OpenAI. Bing Chat performs similarly to ChatGPT, but it also includes up-to-date search information from Bing. This results in more timely information. This tool also has three options for the tone of its responses (More Creative, More Balanced, or More Precise) that can help focus your prompts.
  • Gemini: Gemini gives you direct access to Google AI. Get help with writing, planning, learning, and more.
  • Claude: is an AI text generator from a company called Anthropic AI that takes more of a careful approach to text generation. Claude also allows for the upload of files to use in prompts without having to pay for advanced features

Productivity-based tools

  • Microsoft Office Copilot: is an upcoming update to Microsoft Office 365 that brings AI tools into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and other parts of the Microsoft Office subscription service.
  • Google Duet AI: is Google’s AI connection in Google Drive apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides
  • Gamma App: is an AI-powered presentation tool for more stylish/modern presentations than typical PowerPoint slide decks.

Image-based Tools

  • DALL-E: DALL-E is a generative AI model developed by OpenAI. It uses deep learning to generate images from text descriptions, called "prompts". DALL-E can create images in any number of different styles.
  • Stable Diffusion: is another image generation tool based on data from Stability.AI.
  • AutoDraw: s a basic drawing tool (think MS Paint) that uses AI to change user drawings into higher-quality visuals.

Other Generative AI Tools

  • GitHub Copilot: is a tool that helps programmers write code and translate existing code into other programming languages.

  • Character.AI: allows users to chat with chatbots based on historical, fictional, or contemporary figures.

Resources

Initial Howard University Guidelines for use of Generative AI Tools

Initial Howard University Guidelines for use of Generative AI Tools

Generative AI

Generative AI in Higher Education

  • Personalized learning experiences: generative AI can personalize learning experiences for students, supporting educators and expanding access to knowledge. 
  • Improving academic integrity: generative AI can be used to detect academic malfeasance and reduce the opportunity for cheating
  • Data analysis: generative AI can help analyze complex data sets, providing insights into student performance, course efficacy, and administrative efficiency.
  • Promoting creativity and engagement: Generative AI can be used to promote creativity and engagement from students, allowing them to generate unique and innovative solutions to complex problems.
  • Enhancing student learning outcomes: the use of AI and generative AI in academic courses can significantly enhance student learning outcomes by improving the transfer of knowledge skills, critical thinking, and writing and presentation skills.
  • Assisting with administrative tasks: generative AI can be used to automate administrative tasks, freeing up time and resources for other areas.
  • Providing guidance for students: generative AI can be used to provide guidance for students, helping them navigate complex academic requirements and policies.

Articles

Videos:

Academic Honesty & Integrity Statements for Syllabus

Examples of Syllabi Policies for Generative AI Tool

Craft assignments that deter unauthorized AI use?

Teaching in the Age of AI

  • Localized Assignments
  • Personal reflections
  • Exploratory Activities
  • Assignment Formatting
  • Avoid simple fact-based questions. The first step with avoiding AI-generated responses is to avoid prompts with specific, factual answers. ChatGPT, however, still does a pretty good job with higher-order questions (analysis, synthesis, etc.), and it can be pretty creative (see the viral PBJ in a VCR example). So, aim for assignments calling for more complex cognitive skills, and then layer on some of the other techniques below. 
  • Use class-specific cases and examples. Tie writing prompts to unique or fictional cases or scenarios in your class, particularly if those cases build over time and draw on in-class activities or group work. Relying on in-class activities as a basis for assignments leaves AI without necessary information, and feeding it all that information would be time-consuming for students. If you use this approach, be ready to have an alternate assignment ready for students who cannot come to class for medical or other legitimate reasons.
  • Break large assignments into smaller stages. Giving an assignment in one big chunk can add pressures that sometimes drive students to cheat, while breaking an assignment into smaller pieces can improve learning and writing skills while mitigating these pressures and reliance on AI. Consider breaking larger assignments into multiple stages, giving feedback and grades on each one, and perhaps incorporating peer feedback. This helps in multiple ways: 1) It mitigates the pressure to cheat that emerges from procrastination and feeling lost on a big, high-stakes assignment; 2) It gives you some sense of students’ writing styles along the way, especially if in-class writing is added to the mix; and 3) It leads to better learning and writing in general.
  • Mix in some in-class writing. This can be anywhere in the writing process—early idea-development stages, syntheses of in-class activities that will be incorporated into the project, or reflections on their work and process. Aside from being a valuable approach to teaching writing in your discipline, in-class writing can provide a baseline of a student’s style that can be used to identify writing that isn’t the student’s original work.
  • Run your own assignments through ChatGPT. Curious how well AI answers your assignments? Try running them through yourself to see both how well it does and what markers you see of its work. If it provides solid answers, you might want to keep working on the assignment.

Websites