As Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, is becoming increasingly popular, there are several positive and negative effects that come with pushing AI onto HBCUs. Several HBCUs are looking into introducing AI professors, AI informational courses, AI aiding technology, and more; yet what does that mean for students and the future of education?
Recently, Morehouse college announced that AI teaching assistants are planned to be implemented into courses and classrooms starting as early as this September. According to AXIOS, “Morehouse professors will collaborate with technology partner VictoryXR to create virtual 3D spatial avatars. The avatars use OpenAI to have two-way oral conversations with students.” These assistants will be able to use professor created lesson plans and explain them deeper to students. In areas like science and chemistry, the assistant will also be able to show 3d compositions of elements and chemical structures.
AI teaching assistant model. Credit: Morehouse College
AXIOS also reports that assistants can also respond to “unrelated topics raised by students,” and these assistants will also be another resource for students outside of traditional “office hours. ” Many professors set times outside of their classes for students to come with questions or to ask for help, yet these AI assistants will be accessible for students “24/7 online,” and can “communicate with students in their native language.” This looks to be a positive impact because this breaks barriers for students who may struggle with English and prefer Spanish, French, or African Dialects. HBCU students come from all over the world, so equity and inclusivity is important.
Along with AI in the classroom, several HBCUs are now adding courses to their curriculums that inform students on different sectors of AI. Spelman College currently has two courses related to AI, according to AI-HBCU. One course covers fundamental concepts, techniques and issues of artificial intelligence, and state space search strategies, while the other covers robotics and programming. Howard University has an Introduction to Machine Learning AI course, and Bowie State has a course that also focuses on AI and machinery. NCAT, Coppin State, and Norfolk State also have AI focused educational courses ranging from fundamentalism, media, and technology.
For students who are particularly interested in STEM, these courses can come in handy and also give a preview of what the future may look like with AI when choosing and navigating career paths. Yet not all agree that incorporating AI into the classroom for teaching or for curriculum is positive.
In 2023, a survey was conducted by Pew Research Center and it was found that 32% of educators feel that AI tools in education creates “an equal mix of benefit and harm.” 25% of the teachers surveyed said AI in schools does more harm than good. Another 35% said they were unsure. AI may be good for enhancing learning, yet there are several dangers and negative effects of AI in education.
Many universities, especially since the Pandemic, have transferred almost all assignments and tracking to online programs for education such as BlackBoard, Canvas, Cornerstone, etc. In those programs there are Lockdown Browsers, such as Respondus, and Safe Assign that tracks plagiarism and AI used on assignments. With the rise of ChatGPT in 2022, many institutions try to deviate students from solely relying on AI to complete their assignments, yet with AI assistants and more AI tools, where will the lines be drawn?
ChatGPT: Credit Stock Images Adobe
According to Intellegent.com a recent survey states that, “4 in 10 students are using ChatGPT for assignments.” 96% of the surveyed use ChatGPT for schoolwork; 80% use it for other tasks 69% use the tool for help with writing assignments; 29% of which have ChatGPT write entire essays. 86% say their ChatGPT use has gone undetected. This can pose questions to what will the future of education look like if AI is used on both ends of the spectrum between the student and teacher?
Will students actually learn more with AI professors and assistants while simultaneously using AI to complete assignments or will we see a learning curve diminish over the next few years? How will AI courses also transform how students look at their careers? Will the nationwide teacher shortage be affected positivly or negatively by AI?
Some students are worried about having AI professors yet don’t mind taking an educational course on AI.
One student from VUU says that, “I think I would want to learn the benefits and how to use AI before having my actual teacher be an AI assistant. During COVID it was hard enough being online for classes, so I don’t think it is an entirely good idea.”
Another student from Howard mentioned the fact that, “How can using ChatGPT be considered cheating if professors will soon get the option to have AI assistants to do the work for them?”
As the conversation continues with AI and HBCU education, there is still so much more to find out and only time will be able to tell if these technological advancements will ultimately advance HBCU education and culture or create a negative impact.
