AI A Double-edged Sword.
The winds of technological advancements and change are sweeping across the World and Kenya, Kenyan university students stand at the forefront. Among the many tools at their disposal is artificial intelligence (AI), a powerful force that promises to revolutionize learning and research.
The rise of AI chatbots like OpenAI ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Co-pilot, Snapchat chatbot, Google Bard/ Gemini AI , Elon Musk Grok among many others has sent ripples through academia, particularly in our Kenyan universities.
While the technology offers immense potential for learning and research, Kenyan university lifestyle which is usually filled with late-night cramming, endless group projects, and the constant pressure to excel has led students to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Though the message should be crystal clear: embrace AI, use AI carefully, thoughtfully, and ethically.
The Allure of the Algorithm and the Pitfalls:
Chatbots like ChatGPT tempt us students with their ability to churn out essays, answer complex questions, and even generate creative writing in seconds. This quick and instant access to information can be seductive, especially for students facing tight deadlines or struggling with unfamiliar concepts and the lazy ones. However, this convenience comes at a cost.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
The biggest concern is plagiarism. AI-generated content, while seemingly original, often plagiarizes existing sources, leading to academic sanctions and tarnishing a student's reputation.
Kenyan universities have strict plagiarism policies, though the policies haven't catered the evolving space of AI, using AI to cheat outght to have severe consequences. In the Western and American universities they have incorporated use of AI Plagiarism detection tools.
Critical Thinking Erosion:
Over reliance on AI Can atrophy critical thinking skills. Students who rely solely on AI-generated answers may struggle to analyze information, form independent arguments, and develop their own unique voice.
This can hinder your long-term academic success and limit your ability to contribute meaningfully to society. The originality of thought has been lost, coming up with unique ideas has started to became a up- hill task for comrades.
Privacy and Bias Concerns:
Chatbots are trained on vast amounts of data, which can be biased and reflect societal prejudices. Using such AI tools can expose students to harmful stereotypes and misinformation. Additionally, the data collected by these tools raises privacy concerns, as students' personal information and writing styles can be used without their knowledge or consent.
A recent article by Wall street journal written by James Rundle raises concerns on why a chatbot isn't our friend. The article asserts that, AI-powered chatbots, including customer support assistants and large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT, are becoming increasingly popular. However, they pose significant privacy risks for users and businesses.
These chatbots learn from the data they process, which means sensitive personal or confidential corporate information could be inadvertently exposed. Despite some AI companies offering safeguards such as deleting chats and preventing their models from learning from user interactions, experts advise that the safest approach is not to input sensitive information into these systems.
The concerns raised gives us a "privacy peril" warning as students thus we should be cautious about the platforms we use and the data we share with the chatbots as well as ensuring we fully understand privacy policies and user agreements before bombarding the chatbots with sensitive information.
The Responsible Path:
So, should Comrades ditch AI altogether? Absolutely not!Instead of seeing AI as a shortcut, we as Kenyan students should view it as a powerful tool to augment our learning. Here's how to use AI responsibly:
Use AI as a tool, not a crutch or a wall to lean on: Use AI to enhance or advance your learning, not as a substitute for your own effort and critical thinking.
Fact-check and cite: Always verify AI-generated information against credible or authoritative sources and properly cite your sources as per stipulated format s by your university. This can be achieved by understanding the AI's biases and potential errors. Fact-check it's outputs and don't take them at face value.
Use AI as a springboard: Use AI-generated content as a starting point for your own research and analysis. Don't simply copy and paste.
Develop your own voice: Don't let AI dictate your writing style or arguments. Use AI to learn new concepts, but express them in your own words. This can be achieved by respect of academic integrity. Never use AI to plagiarize or cheat. The consequences are far-reaching and damaging to ones reputation and future career prospects.
Be mindful of privacy: Choose reputable AI tools with clear privacy policies and avoid sharing sensitive information
.
Be transparent: Always acknowledge the use of AI tools in your work and cite your sources appropriately using accepted formats.
Engage ethically: Use AI only for legitimate aim and avoid any actions that could jeopardize others or violate ethical guidelines.
The Future of Education:
AI is here to stay, the future of education and AI is intertwined and Kenyan university student are adapting. Courses are incorporating AI tools for collaborative learning and personalized instruction. The focus should shift towards teaching students how to use AI ethically and effectively, not just avoid it.
By embracing responsible AI use, Kenyan students can unlock its true potential. AI can be a powerful ally in their academic journey, helping them learn, innovate, and contribute to a brighter future. Remember, the key is not to replace human intelligence with AI, but to use AI to enhance it.
So, Kenyan students, let's harness the power of AI responsibly and write a new chapter in the story of Kenyan education, one filled with innovation, integrity, and success.
Remember, true success comes from your own hard work, dedication, discipline, and ethical conduct, not from taking shortcuts with algorithms. So, use AI wisely, fellow comrades, and let your intellectual light shine!
PHOTO/The Software Report
The Writer, Harun Mugambi is a Third Year Journalism Student at Chuka University.
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