BRENT EDU

Australian universities to allow AI in assessments

The increasing ubiquity of artificial intelligence in our lives is creating waves in academia. Three universities in Australia have adopted what seems like a landmark policy. The three institutions are allowing students to use AI when taking assessments, albeit under strict conditions. Professor Romy Lawson said: "Instead of banning students from using such programs, we aim to assist academic staff and students to use digital tools to support learning." The Internet abounds with AI text generators. These can be used to create essays that look authentic enough to fool examiners. The content created by these AI tools evade detection by even the smartest of anti-plagiarism tools.

Artificial Intelligence is posing huge challenges to exam integrity. It is the biggest disruptor since calculators were allowed into maths tests. The latest quandary for educators comes from a language processing chatbox called ChatGPT. This can produce highly authentic human-like content on any subject in seconds. It has sparked fears that students will use it to write essays. The University of South Australia's Dr Vitomir Kovanovic said teachers needed to embrace AI. He said: "You cannot stop it. The alternative is the Middle Ages – going to pen and paper." He added that universities needed to change with the times. He said: "It's like having a driving school, but teaching people how to ride horses."

Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

artificial intelligence / creating waves / academia / assessments / digital tools / fool / challenges / calculators / quandary / essays / the Middle Ages / pens / paper / change

True / False

1) Australian universities have developed A.I. using sound waves. T / F

2) Three Australian universities want to support students with digital tools. T / F

3) The article says there are one of two AI text generators online. T / F

4) The article says chatboxes cannot outsmart anti-plagiarism tools. T / F

5) The last huge change in exams was using calculators in maths tests. T / F

6) It takes ChatGPT just minutes to create authentic-looking tests. T / F

7) A professor said it is possible to stop AI. T / F

8) A professor likened paper tests to driving schools teaching horse riding. T / F

Discussion

1) What do you think about what you read?

2) Did you ever see students cheating in exams?

3) Should calculators be allowed in exams?

4) What do you know about the new chatbox ChatGPT?

5) How good are you at writing essays?

6) Should all tests be pen-and-paper tests?

7) What do you know about the Middle Ages?

8) What questions would you like to ask the researchers?