Academic integrity has always played an important role in education, highlighting values such as honesty, innovation and creativity. With the launch of a Generative AI (Gen AI), the boundaries between original and borrowed work have started to become blurred. Not only has Gen AI changed the way we do our research but also the way we approach assignments that are set by teachers for our critical development.
The development of such a powerful tool, Gen AI, has brought me both excitement and also a sense of responsibility as a student to uphold academic integrity. Faced with the tight deadlines of IB and high academic expectations, it’s easy to get tempted to click a few buttons and have a well-written piece of writing with fancy words. However, as a student, I have come to realize that academic integrity in this era is using Gen AI as a tool rather than as a replacement for critical thinking.
Also Read | PGDM in AI & Data Science and Business Analytics by Aditya School of Business Management
Having a dependence on Gen AI for academic purposes might benefit me in the short run, but in the long run, it would do more harm than good. Assignments are set to develop my brain critically and creatively. Relying on a machine to do all the tasks diminishes my brain’s ability to become innovative, turning it into a copy of a machine. However, there is no point in that because machines thousand times smarter than me already exist. Critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving are some aspects of human capability that remain unique and valuable. If I lose those qualities, what’s unique about me? What do I bring to the table?
The realization that my intellectual development is at stake if I use Gen AI to complete all my tasks has encouraged me to maintain a balance between technology and authenticity of the work produced by me. Due to this, I have learned to use AI as a technological tool to enhance my learning experience and gain more insights rather than as a shortcut to academic success.
Because the question remains: if I lose the ability to develop my innovative and critical thinking, how am I any different than a less intelligent version of AI?
About the Author: Reet Sapra, an Economics student in the Philippines with a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence, is a dedicated high school student with a keen interest in economics, business, and artificial intelligence. Beyond her studies, she enjoys reading, roller skating, and actively giving back to the community.