Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom: Insights from Professors Pritchard and Wade

English and creative writing professors at a university are grappling with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and how it impacts their teaching methods. Professor Stephanie Pritchard, who is part of a SUNY system-wide faculty task group researching AI, shared her insights on the integration of AI into education. She emphasized the importance of understanding the capabilities and ethics of AI tools, while also acknowledging the potential challenges they pose.

Another English professor, Dr. Erik Wade, expressed initial concerns about AI but has since come to accept it as an inevitable technological change. Both professors agree that AI cannot replace human creativity and connection in the classroom. Despite this, they have differing approaches to incorporating conversational language models, like ChatGPT, into their teaching.

While Wade has not changed his teaching methods significantly, Pritchard has begun integrating ChatGPT into her classes to explore its potential benefits. Both professors advise students to use AI as a tool to enhance their work, rather than letting it define their creativity. They emphasize the importance of human creativity in making sense of the world and caution against the potential exploitation of AI for cheap labor in industries like Hollywood.

As the role of AI continues to evolve, these professors are navigating the intersection of technology and education to ensure that human originality and creativity remain at the forefront of learning.