Can you Use Generative AI Tools for your Assignments?

We live in a world of AI Tools, and it would be wrong on our end not to take advantage of such tools for research purposes. Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic of discussion in recent times, and one particular subfield that has gained significant attention is generative AI.

Generative AI is a technology that involves creating new data from scratch, using algorithms and models that mimic human creativity. It is used in various fields, including entertainment, advertising, and gaming. But can it be used in academic assignments?

There are many students worldwide who are using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bard AI to solve their entire assignments. Many cases of students who received good grades through these assignments were reported, while some were caught because of plagiarism, irrelevancy, or repetition. The question arises, is the risk worth it? Is using generative AI tools in your assignments legal and ethically right? Let's look into this in detail.

What are Generative AI Tools?

Before we dive into the use of AI tools for your assignments, it is crucial to understand what generative AI tools are. Generative AI refers to using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate new content that humans have not explicitly programmed. This can include anything from generating text, images, music, and even entire videos.

Generative AI systems use complex algorithms and Machine learning techniques to analyse and learn from large data sets. This data is then used to create new content that mimics the patterns and characteristics of the original dataset.

A few of the most popular generative AI models include language models like GPT-3 and Bard AI, image and video generation models like StyleGAN, and music generation models like MuseNet. With the advent of time, generative AI tools are gaining popularity among individuals, especially students using such tools for their assignments.

Using Generative AI Tools in Assignments

Now that we understand generative AI tools let's explore whether they can be used in academic assignments. While generative AI tools can be used to create content, carefully considering their use in academic assignments is important.

The primary reason for this is that academic assignments are meant to assess a student's knowledge and skills in a particular field. Therefore, it is important that the content of the assignment is created by the student and not by a machine. Here, we have discussed both the benefits and disadvantages of using AI tools for assignments.

Benefits of Using Generative AI Tools

Time-Saving

Generative AI tools can save you time. For instance, an AI writing tool can create an entire essay from scratch in just a few minutes, which could take a student hours to write manually. This saved time could be allocated to other academic work or extracurricular activities.

Quality Output

Generative AI tools are designed to produce high-quality output that is often on par with or better than what humans can produce. For example, an AI writing tool can generate grammatically correct, structurally sound, and coherent content. This quality output can help students achieve higher grades in their assignments.

Innovative and Unique Ideas

Another major advantage of generative AI tools is that they can generate innovative and unique ideas to make an assignment stand out. For instance, an AI-generated artwork or music piece can be distinctive and creative, which can attract the attention of the teacher or professor.

Disadvantages of Using AI Tools in Academia

Plagiarism

If a student uses an AI writing tool to create an essay, there is a risk that the content generated will be similar to that produced by other students who also used the same tool. Consequently, there is a high chance that the assignment may be flagged for plagiarism by the teacher or professor, which can further harm a student's academic life.

Lack of Understanding

Students who use an AI writing tool to create an essay are not necessarily learning anything. They merely input information and allow the tool to do its work. As a result, the student may not fully comprehend the material covered in the assignment.

Inaccurate Output

Generative AI tools are not always accurate, and their output may not always be relevant to the assignment's requirements. For instance, an AI writing tool may generate a grammatically correct and structurally sound essay. Still, it may not address the specific topic or argument required in the assignment. This can result in the student receiving a low grade or failing the assignment altogether.

Bias

AI algorithms can perpetuate existing biases and discrimination in the data they are trained on. This can lead to biased decisions and conclusions in academic research.

An example of such a circumstance is when we prompted ChatGPT to tell a joke about men and then about women. This is how the AI tool answered.

Lack of Transparency

Many AI algorithms are black boxes, meaning that we cannot understand how they arrived at their conclusions. This can make it difficult to assess the reliability and validity of the results generated by these tools.

Ethical Concerns

The use of AI in academia raises ethical concerns around data privacy, informed consent, and the potential for AI to replace human decision-making. Using Generative AI tools to complete assignments can be seen as cheating since it does not involve the student's genuine effort or learning.

This can undermine the value of the degree or certification the student obtains. They also can give some students an unfair advantage over others who are completing their work without assistance, creating an uneven playing field that is not conducive to fair and equitable learning.

Lack of Interpretability

Some AI algorithms may generate difficult results to interpret or explain, making it complex to draw meaningful conclusions from the data. This can limit the utility of these tools in academic research.

How to Use Generative AI Tools Responsibly

Although they are not worth the risk, If you are still considering using generative AI tools in your academic assignments, it is essential to do so responsibly. Keep the following tips in mind:

1. Understand the assignment's requirements.

Before using a generative AI tool, fully understand your assignment's requirements. This will help you ensure that the output produced by the tool is relevant to the assignment's objectives. This will also allow you to make amendments accordingly.

2. Use generative AI tools to supplement your work, not replace it!

Generative AI tools should be used to supplement your work, not replace it entirely. Use them to generate ideas or inspiration, but ensure you are still doing the bulk of the work yourself. You can even use them to create outlines for your assignments. However, generating entire assignments using these tools can be ethically and morally wrong, especially if your institution has tough policies against it.

3. Check the output for accuracy.

Always double-check the output produced by a generative AI tool for accuracy. This will ensure that the output is relevant to the assignment's requirements and does not contain any errors.

4. Cite your sources

If you use a generative AI tool to generate content for your assignment, cite your sources. This way, there will be somewhat original content in your assignment, which can help you avoid plagiarism.

Here is a quick guide on how to cite ChatGPT with examples

5. Use multiple generative AI tools.

To avoid producing output similar to what other students may be submitting, try using multiple generative AI tools. You can produce unique content and increase your work's likelihood of standing out through this method.

6. Consult with your teacher or professor.

If you are unsure whether using generative AI tools is allowed or appropriate for a particular assignment, consult with your teacher or professor. They can provide guidance and clarify any concerns you may have. They will also guide you about the penalties for using AI tools for your assignments, and then you can decide for yourself whether the risk is worth it or not!

Conclusion

It is important to remember that using AI tools for your assignments should not replace critical thinking and learning but rather be used as a supplement to enhance your work. Ultimately, you have to decide whether the benefits of using generative AI tools outweigh the potential drawbacks and risks.