AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computer programs or machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and natural language processing. Some of the most notable applications of AI include self-driving cars, intelligent personal assistants like Siri and Alexa, and recommendation systems used by online retailers and streaming services.

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is one of the most advanced language models available, capable of understanding and generating human-like language in response to a wide range of questions and prompts on many different topics, from general knowledge to more specific areas like science, technology, and history. ChatGPT’s ability to generate text that is stylistically similar to human language (sophisticated, flexible, and contextually relevant) makes it useful for tasks such as responses to customer inquiries, composing news articles, and even creative writing.

Teachers should approach the use of ChatGPT with a critical and reflective mindset, carefully considering the potential benefits and limitations of these technologies in their teaching practice. By doing so, they can help ensure that these technologies are used in a way that supports student learning and enhances the overall educational experience.

Still skeptical about how powerful ChatGPT can be? Consider this: all three paragraphs above were written by ChatGPT! I entered prompts (What is AI? What is ChatGPT? What do teachers need to know about ChatGPT?) and it gave me three paragraphs for EACH prompt, which I then excerpted here to create this article!

AI tools, like any other tool, come with both benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits (Justifications for using AI in Teaching & Learning):

AI is just one wave in a tide of evolution to our relationship with technology (like calculators, and spell check!)
We need to teach students about the field of AI outside of computer classes! Like other forms of literacy across the curriculum (writing, speaking, reading), we need to teach digital literacy across the curriculum.
AI encourages us to reconsider assessment – we need to look for direct evidence (process) of learning rather than indirect evidence (product). Watch them shoot free throws, not just evaluate the score at the end of the game!
Harness the learning power of AI tools to help students overcome hurdles and learn challenging material. Struggling students can ask it to explain quantum physics to a middle-schooler to help them understand the concepts themselves!

Drawbacks (Issues to consider in using ChatGPT in Teaching and Learning):

Quality Control -- Responses aren't always accurate (particularly when being asked to cite references). Using it as a learning tool requires a level of expertise to be able to spot errors!
Equity – maximum benefit from using AI tools often requires a paid subscription. Will this financial concern end up increasing the opportunity gaps and digital divides?
Bias -- Studies have shown that AI systems consistently exhibit biases that may perpetuate racism, sexism, classism, and a host of other diversity and inclusion issues.
Ethics -- There are concerns with providing students’ work to developers when putting them into detection software, especially without students' knowledge or permission.

To learn more about what AI can do, and the potential impacts it might have on teaching and learning in both positive and negative ways, here are some resources to explore:

Resources to Learn More:

Articles

Impact of AI:

Did a Robot Write This? How AI is Impacting Journalism by Nicole Martin (Forbes, February 2019)
- Article outlining potential impacts of AI on the field of news reporting. Nicole Martin has a BA in Print Journalism from Penn State University and an MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from Point Park University. She is now using her knowledge in the field combined with her writing background to share information about technology, digital marketing, data, and innovation as the owner of NR Digital Consulting and host of Talk Digital To Me Podcast.
ChatGPT, AI Generative Tools, and Your Career: Parallels, Possibilities, and Problems by Lance Eaton (Unbound-ED, February 2023)
- Video provides some context for what ChatGPT is and how folks might use these tools in their job search process. Lance Eaton is the Director of Digital Pedagogy at College Unbound.

Teaching with AI:

Practices in Digital Pedagogy: Evaluating Digital Tools by Jesse Stommel (CourseHero eBook)
- eBook helping faculty critically assess digital tools and digital literacy activities for students. Jesse Stommel is the Executive Director of Hybrid Pedagogy at the University of Denver.
New Modes of Learning Enabled by AI Chatbots: Three Methods & Assignments by Ethan Mollick and Lilach Mollick (Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania & Wharton Interactive, December 2022)
- This provides background information and techniques on how AI can be used to overcome three major learning barriers and includes prompts and assignments that teachers
  can incorporate into their teaching. The goal is to help teachers use the capabilities and drawbacks of AI to improve learning.
My class required AI. Here's what I've learned so far by Ethan Mollick (A Useful Thing Blog, February 2023)
- Article overviewing his classroom AI Policy and how he incorporates AI into students' learning. Ethan Mollick is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who studies entrepreneurship & innovation, as well as how we can better learn and teach.
How to Cite ChatGPT & AI Tools - APA Style 7th Edition by Research Guides at University of Guelph-Humber (February 2023)

Equity Issues:

ChatGPT: New AI tool, old racism and bias? by Mutale Nkonde (Mashable, February 2023)
- Article addressing the problem of racism and sexism in AI outputs. Mutale Nkonde is an AI policy advisor and founder and CEO of AI for the People, a nonprofit that seeks to use popular culture to increase support for policies to reduce algorithmic bias. Nkonde has held fellowships at Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Notre Dame and is completing a master’s program at Columbia University.
The Trouble with Bias by Kate Crawford (NIPS 2017 Keynote, Neural Information Processing Systems)
- Keynote at the 2017 Neural Information Processing Systems annual convention discussing nature of bias and its impact in artificial intelligence systems, including how machines both adopt and propagate bias. Kate Crawford is a leading researcher, academic and author who has spent the last decade studying the social implications of data systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence. She is a Distinguished Research Professor at New York University, a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research New York, and a Visiting Professor at the MIT Media Lab.