What is Generative Artificial Intelligence? 

Generative AI refers to online tools that create new content, like text or images, using algorithms, data, and patterns. These tools aren’t search engines; they’re more like advanced chatbots. When given a prompt, the chatbot then tries to predict what should come next based on patterns it has learned. ChatGPT is a great example of text-based generative AI.

These tools use "large language models" to understand the input and generate relevant responses. For example, when ChatGPT answers a question, it looks at the words already given and predicts the next logical word or sentence. Because it processes language so quickly, it can sometimes appear as though the chatbot is intelligent.

AI technology is evolving fast. Generative tools help people combine information and create things like code, essays, art, or music. However, they can also "hallucinate," meaning they might make up facts and sources or show bias in their content.

ACC/WCU AI Acceptable Student Use Policy

With the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools - such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Google Gemini, and other applications known as large language models (LLM) or generative AI applications - into university activities, it's essential to use these technologies responsibly. Generative AI tools learn through interactions with users. For that reason, many generative AI tools require users to agree that they can keep the information submitted for future use by the tool itself, including by providing it to other users. This is especially true for free generative AI tools.

This guidance outlines acceptable practices for utilizing AI tools while safeguarding institutional, personal, and proprietary information. It seeks to ensure that student use of AI-generated content is responsible and upholds institutional policies related to academic integrity and proper citation. The guidance provided in this policy will continuously evolve, and additional guidance may be forthcoming.

Drawbacks and Strengths of Generative AI

Drawbacks:

Generative AI is evolving quickly, and it’s important to remember that the content it creates is based on predictions, which means it may not always be accurate, unbiased, up-to-date, or appropriate to claim as your own work.

Some drawbacks to using generative AI include:

• It can sometimes "hallucinate," meaning it makes things up, especially with academic references.
• It hasn’t been trained on the latest information, so it may not know about recent events or developments.
• Its knowledge is uneven, with a stronger understanding of STEM topics compared to humanities.
• It doesn’t provide sources or explain what data influenced its answers.
• Like search results, AI-generated content should be checked for bias.
• It lacks true creativity or the ability to think "outside the box."

Strengths:

Despite the drawbacks of generative AI, here are some things these tools can do well:

• Write text based on prompts, such as suggesting essay outlines, drafting formal emails, or summarizing content.
• Create new visuals, like generating images.
• Create audio, like composing a music track.

Plagiarism, AI, and Ethics Links & Resources

Can ChatGPT Actually Pass AP Lit?