Generative artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a type of machine learning, whereby a computer can create content based on its ability to assess similar content. The generated content could take the form of music, art, writing, etc. Essentially, the program must be provided examples of the type of content it wishes to generate--it must listen to music, it must read essays, it must view art--then, using algorithms designed for its specific purpose, the program will create content based on the common patterns detected in the material it has assessed. 

It is important to remember, however, that generative AIs do not actually produce new content or material, but rather uses information from existing work to create a reasonable average of the whole.

In the college classroom, AI can be utilized to enhance various aspects of teaching, including personalized learning experiences, automated grading and feedback, intelligent tutoring systems, data analytics for student performance, and more. 

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, can use natural language processing to create human-like dialogue. The language model can respond to questions and compose a variety of written content, including articles, social media posts, essays, and emails. 

Yes, they are! According to a nationwide survey conducted by the online magazine, Intelligent, of 1,000 college-enrolled students in late 2022, nearly one-third of the students said they have already used ChatGPT to complete a written college assignment. Nearly two-thirds of that group say that they have used it for 50% or more of their assignments. Additionally, three out of four ChatGPT users believe it is cheating but use it anyway.

There are a variety of generative-AI tools that can be used to create content, such as audio, video, images, text, and simulations. Some of the most commonly used AI tools for students include ChatGPT, Bing's AI chatbot, Google's Bard, DALL-E 2, PhotoMath, HyperWrite, and WordTune; however, due to the nature of the advancing technology, the list is changing almost daily. The basis of these tools is "large language models," which are AI systems that apply sophisticated statistical methods to process and comprehend natural language data, such as text or speech, and produce responses that resemble human ones.

AI tools can be used ethically and responsibly in various academic settings. However, using AI tools too much can compromise a student's ability to demonstrate their learning. Consider, though, that many of the effective teaching and evaluation methods that worked in a pre-generative AI world still work today. There are many ways that instructors can effectively incorporate the use of AI in their classrooms, including evaluating AI-created content, conducting general research, generating study guides, completing assignment preparation (such as brainstorming), or creating detailed topic lists. With responsible use of a generative AI tool, students can enhance their creative skills, allowing them to explore and evaluate novel concepts and ideas that inspire them to produce their own academic work. 

However, some students may lack the fundamental knowledge to discern why or how AI-generated content can be inaccurate or misused. This provides a wonderful teaching opportunity, or "learning moment," for instructors to demonstrate to students both AI's advantages and disadvantages. 

For instance, one strategy is to teach students about the drawbacks and limitations of Al technology and instead, promote the significance of developing their own critical thinking and analysis skills. By stressing the worth of their original thoughts and analysis, faculty members can help to dissuade students from depending on Al tools to complete their assignments. 

If your students question whether or not using AI for an assignment is appropriate, have them consider the following questions:

1. Is the AI creating something for me that will be evaluated by my instructor? If the answer is 'yes,' it is best to avoid using it!

2. Do I know whether or not my instructor or university approves the use of AI in my assignments? If you don't know the answer, ask your instructor! Until you know for sure, it is best to avoid using it for assignments. 

If you do allow the use of AI as a source in an academic assignment, be sure to convey to students that they should clearly indicate the role that the AI technology played in formulating their work (just as they would for any other academic source).

First, it is important to reference our provost's latest memo regarding the use of Turnitin as an AI detection tool: 

Dear Colleagues:

As the generative artificial intelligence (AI) discussion continues worldwide, I want to let you know that Turnitin (TII) is sharing a preview release of its AI writing detection capabilities starting on April 4, 2023. While the AI detection capabilities will be built into the existing TII similarity report in Brightspace, please do not use AI detection applications alone to conclude that there has been plagiarism or a violation of academic integrity.

There will be an announcement in Purdue Today about this new TII capability as well, and the Purdue Global team will be evaluating detection applications and providing guidance. Updates will be shared as soon as new information is available. In the meantime, please review the Purdue Global Generative AI Statement for guidance on appropriate uses of AI generated content.

Please be aware that students will not have access to the AI writing detection indicator and report in Turnitin.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please complete this form.

Thank you, 

Jon Harbor | Provost

March 31, 2023

It is also important to consider the following if utilizing Turnitin as an AI detection tool in your comprehensive evaluation of possible plagiarism cases:

• TII's AI detection tool/score is NOT visible to students at this time.

• To access the AI "score," instructors must first click on the regular Originality Score. 

• The new detection tool is currently trained on ChatGPT and ChatGPT 3.5--it has not yet been trained on ChatGPT 4.

• TII’s AI detection tool currently has 1% “false positives."

• Finally, as noted above, please do not use AI detection applications alone to conclude that there has been plagiarism or a violation of academic integrity.

To learn a bit more about Turnitin's AI detection capabilities, feel free to review the following articles or visit our Turnitin's AI Detection Tool page. 

• TII’s AI Detection Tool and False Positives: “Understanding False Positives Within Our AI Writing Detection Capabilities”

• TII’s FAQ Page: “Turnitin’s AI Writing Detection Capabilities”

First, the Turnitin (TII) Originality Report should always be read carefully to determine whether or not a breach of academic integrity has occurred with the use of AI in the same way the report is checked for any potential plagiarism issues.

• Turnitin (TII) Resources and How to Read TII Reports

Additionally, the current Student Code of Conduct should be followed for cases involving the use of AI. Do not judge a submission by the percentage only.  

• PG Faculty Remediation Guide (How to Report Plagiarism)

1. Bias: Because models are trained on data, if the data is biased, the resulting AI models will also be biased—this can lead to discriminatory or unfair outcomes, particularly in areas such as hiring, lending, and criminal justice.

2. Ownership: Who owns the data used to train AI models, especially if sourced from the public domain? Also, who owns the resulting outputs generated by the models? This raises questions around intellectual property, ownership, and control. 

3. Privacy: AI models can generate realistic images and text that can be used to identify individuals, potentially violating their privacy. This can also raise concerns around data protection and surveillance. 

4. Manipulation: Models can be used to create realistic fake images and text that can be used to spread misinformation or manipulate public opinion—this can have serious cultural and societal consequences. 

5. Autonomy: As AI models become more advanced, they may start to make decisions or generate outputs without human intervention, raising new questions regarding responsibility, accountability, and control. 

6. Safety: Because AI models can generate realistic images and text that can be used to create deepfakes, which can be used to cause harm or incite violence.

Ensuring fairness and mitigating bias in AI tools requires careful consideration. When selecting or developing AI tools: 

• look for those that have been rigorously tested for fairness and bias. 

• examine the underlying algorithms and data used to train the AI system, as biases can be inadvertently introduced. 

• regularly evaluate the AI tool's impact on different student groups and be open to feedback from students to address any potential biases that may arise. 

No, not necessarily. While a technical background can be advantageous, it is not always necessary to incorporate AI in your teaching. Many AI tools and platforms are designed to be user-friendly and require minimal technical expertise. However, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the basics of AI and understand its capabilities and limitations to effectively integrate it into your instructional practices. 

There are several practical applications of AI in college teaching. Some examples include:

• Intelligent tutoring systems that provide personalized feedback and guidance 

• AI-powered chatbots for answering student questions

• Automatic essay grading systems

• Adaptive learning platforms that tailor content to individual student needs

• Data analytics tools for tracking student progress and identifying areas of improvement

No, AI cannot entirely replace human instructors. While AI technologies can automate certain tasks and provide personalized learning experiences, they lack the human qualities of empathy, creativity, and critical thinking that are crucial in education. AI should be seen as a complement to human instruction, enhancing teaching and learning rather than replacing it.