While students make use of new education-related artificial intelligence technology, over reliance on this technology poses a threat to the development of communication and literacy skills that prove necessary in future professional environments.
The use of artificial intelligence is on the rise. AI tools for students such as essay generators, grammar checkers, text-to-speech readers and math tutoring platforms are becoming more popular. While many of these platforms serve as helpful educational devices for students, others inhibit learning, contributing to Americans’ poor writing and mathematics skills and pose a risk of AI dependence.
Artificial intelligence uses computer systems that are able to complete tasks that normally require human intelligence. AI has proven beneficial in many ways, enhancing productivity across many sectors. While the uses for AI are limitless and the future offers many possibilities as the technology continues to develop, it is necessary to evaluate the ways in which AI can hinder personal growth. For students, it is especially pertinent to evaluate how using AI reading and writing tools can quickly become a crutch.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 50% of employers consider written communication skills to be very important. Despite employers valuing written communication, Americans struggle when it comes to reading and writing skills — over 50% of U.S. adults score below an international benchmark for literacy, according to data collected by the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies.
Meanwhile, advancements in AI technology have resulted in essay generators such as EssayGenius and Simplified, which allow users to enter in a topic word and provide a brief description of the topic. In return, the generator produces an essay. While this technology is skilled at creating human-like writing that could be used to ease the stress of completing writing assignments, this convenient application poses a threat.
Employers and students were surveyed by the NACE on their perceptions of college seniors’ competency. The survey found that, of the college seniors polled, approximately 80% considered themselves competent in oral and written communication skills. Comparatively, employers reported that only 42% of the students were competent in those areas. It is imperative that students focus on developing their skill set, especially in a job market where many employers are unimpressed by higher education standards for communication skills. Relying on AI technology to complete assignments could only worsen the gap between employer expectations and student abilities.
Students need to learn the skills of reading, writing and math, and relying on AI technology to reduce the difficulty of these tasks is unproductive for the learning process. Students who do not write their own work do not get the practice of communicating their own ideas or using the required formatting styles. Those who rely on AI tools such as Mathway to assist with math homework do not gain the experience recommended for developing their abilities. While the potential utility of tools such as Mathway is obvious, it is imperative to consider future professional contexts where these skills may be necessary without the help of this technology and how a student’s abuse of this technology reduces the intended benefits.
While MU’s academic dishonesty policy does not specifically condemn the use of AI technology, many plagiarism checkers can detect AI-generated text. Turnitin.com recently developed new technology to detect AI writing, which the company plans to implement as soon as April 2023. There is an ongoing debate about the ethics of AI writing and plagiarism, leaving students who use the technology in a risky position.
While it is understandable why students would want to embrace the latest technology, especially if it lessens their workload, some AI tools pose an ethical risk. They also threaten the development of necessary communication and problem solving skills. Students have the option to choose not to partake in every aspect of this technology, which is the most beneficial for learning and future professional endeavors.
Edited by Molly Gibbs | mgibbs@themaneater.comCopy edited by Lauren Courtney and Sterling Sewell