University teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and subject-specific knowledge you need for those. Over-reliance on GenAI can damage the ability to solve problems in your subjects, and actively harm academic performance, because you may not have the knowledge and understanding you need later on. Overuse can also be potentially isolating if you rely on GenAI rather than interacting with friends/peer groups. GenAI use can also impact the development of skills needed for lifelong learning and future careers (e.g. skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical analysis, etc.). A key skill for students is knowing when to use and when not to use GenAI.
Student Skills and Success
Reliability and Accuracy
- While GenAI output often appears trustworthy, these tools may produce output that can be misleading, factually incorrect, and/or made up. These are called ‘hallucinations’. Therefore, checking the outputs for accuracy and appropriateness is essential.
- GenAI tools cannot reason, nor interpret or understand the real world. UNESCO (2023 (b), p.11) clarifies that, ‘while GenAI can produce new content, it cannot generate new ideas or solutions to real-world challenges, as it does not understand real-world objects or social relations that underpin language’.
- GenAI is limited by its training data and will reproduce biases and falsehoods contained therein (Bender et al., 2021). See Ethical and Privacy Considerations
- Some GenAI tools are limited by the cut-off date for data used in their training (for instance, GPT-3 Turbo’s training data ends in September 2021). GenAI tools will ‘pretend’ they are up to date.
- Different GenAI tools will be more effective and reliable for different situations.
- Even though GenAI is a technology, that does not ensure it is neutral, objective, and without bias.
Inappropriate Use
- Usage outside of the prescribed guidelines can endanger your academic career. See How can I use GenAI in my assessments?
- Using GenAI to record and transcribe lectures, tutorials and meetings etc., uploading class material without prior consent.
- Creation and distribution of multimedia with the intent to cause offence.
- Creation of information with the intent to mislead.
- Non-consensual use of individuals’ voices, images, personal information, etc. See Ethical and Privacy Considerations