Making Smart Use of Generative AI Tools
Generative AI introduces a host of exciting new possibilities for learning, but also presents some significant potential pitfalls. Educational institutions of all kinds are currently working (and no doubt will continue working for some time) to better understand the opportunities and determine how to manage the dangers.
Centering you as the learner
As a student, the key principle to keep in mind is that you should be the one actively thinking, creating, problem-solving, and making mistakes as you learn. There are two good reasons for this: First, engaging in all of these activities will enable your brain to engage in deep learning and practice problem-solving techniques; and second, since generative AI is only as good as the information it draws from, you can't rely exclusively on its output.
Smart practices in using AI as a student
What does all this mean in terms of how you work? Some guidelines:
- Write good prompts when using generative AI, so that you will get the output you are looking for. If your first prompt doesn't result in helpful output, revise it. Getting the output you want is usually an iterative process. As AI expert Ethan Mollick writes, "Working with AI is a dialogue, not an order."
- Ensure that you understand the risks as well as the benefits of generative AI. Always review AI-generated output with a critical eye, looking for errors and biases. Be aware that output can contain errors, or " hallucinations," and reflects all of the social/cultural bias built into the training data it draws from.
- Avoid copying and pasting material from a generative AI tool directly into your own assignment, unless you specifically cite it as such. Otherwise, you are falsely representing the output as your own work.
- Be aware of your instructor's expectations around use of AI for class assignments (check the syllabus), and of the University's academic integrity principles. If you have questions, talk with your instructor.
- Don't input personal or sensitive information into generative AI tools, since whatever you input can be used for further training of the tool. For added security, use Northwestern's instance of Copilot.
- Keep track of how you are using AI in your assignments, so that if needed, you can refer back to where particular information came from.
- Prioritize your own development as a critical thinker, a savvy consumer of information, and a communicator. Ask yourself: How can I use these tools in a way that will help me improve my skills and abilities?