This page is about artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. The content focuses on the use of AI in information searching, but we also address here general ethical issues raised by AI. AI and its applications are evolving rapidly, so this guide is a work in progress and will be updated when needed. So, visit the page for updates and follow developments in the field around the topic.
AI is a broad concept that refers to the ability of computer systems to perform tasks and processes that normally require human intelligence. Such tasks may include image recognition, speech recognition, problem solving and decision making. AI is already used in many areas of our daily lives: within recommendation lists provided by applications, language translation, targeting advertising, predicting house prices, etc.
A company called OpenAI released its text-generating service ChatGPT for free in November 2022, and it became widely publicised in early 2023.
There are many guidelines and recommendations available on the use of AI, and ChatGPT in particular, in education. Some of the Tampere university community's guidelines are linked below.
Summary of the recommendations:
As a rule, the use of language models is allowed.
If a student uses a language model in an assignment or a thesis, for example, as part of language editing, this must always be mentioned.
Students are always responsible for the content of the texts they submit for assessment.
You can find the most recent Tampere University guidelines and recommendations in the Tampere higher education community's websites!
Summary of the recommendations:
The most recent TAMK's guidelines and recommendations are in the Tampere higher education community's websites!
ChatGPT is an OpenAI service that allows the use of different levels of language models, including ChatGPT (free) and GPT4 (paid), according to the user's choice. The application can be found at https://chat.openai.com/chat. To use it, you need an OpenAI account.
The service is used by entering text (prompt) and responding to a text prompt provided by the user. The service can therefore be used as a kind of dialogue on a topic of the user's choice.
ChatGPT has been trained on huge amounts of text and generates responses based on a statistical model. In simple terms, it can be compared to the predictive text input of a mobile phone. It knows nothing, has no access to the internet and cannot be used as a source of information. It is also unable to judge the reliability of the text it produces and can therefore claim things that are untrue. OpenAI has not disclosed any information about the data used to train ChatGPT. It is also worth remembering that AI models are notoriously biased.
Note! Open AI updated its paid ChatGPT-4 in September 2023, it is now able to use the internet.
Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat Enterprise) is a conversational AI application (GPT-4 language model and DALL-E 3 image model). Microsoft Copilot can also search for information directly from the Internet and can create images based on verbal descriptions.
Copilot is available for staff and adult students with a TUNI account. For students, it became available 03/2024.
The data processed by Copilot is not stored by it and the data is not used to train the AI. Moreover, the messages in the conversation with the AI are automatically discarded after the chat session ends. For more information, see Copilot's privacy policy.
See instructions on Copilot (intra). The Tip Bank article: Microsoft Copilot: Ten quick tips for use can also be useful.
When using AI applications, always consider how they handle the data you enter. As a general rule, all data input to AI services is stored outside the EU/EEA and cannot be deleted from there. For example, no personal data, business secrets, confidential information or sensitive information may be entered into the services.
Instructions on how to restrict the use of your input for AI training in ChatGPT.
Yes, if you have used ChatGPT in your work, you must mention all its use. Check out the instructions of your university:
How do you make a citation to ChatGPT according to a specific citation style? See instructions e.g. : https://www.scribbr.com/ai-tools/chatgpt-citations/.
Writing your own texts (answers to assignments, essays, etc.) on ChatGPT is considered plagiarism or dishonesty in most institutions, even if you cite the source. Using ChatGPT in this way is not recommended.
Scopus is Elsevier's abstract and citation database with a new generative AI add-on called Scopus AI. Scopus AI is based on the use of natural language, meaning that you can write your questions or hypotheses in normal language, regardless of keywords or Boolean operators.
Based on the question or hypothesis you entered, Scopus AI searches for publications published since 2013 and uses their abstracts to create an answer, i.e., a short summary of the topic. The summary includes references to articles found in the Scopus database. In case you want more in-depth knowledge, you can continue exploring with the help of an extended summary, concept map, basic publications in the research area, and expert sections on the subject.
Although applications of generative AI (such as ChatGPT) are not, at least for the time being, suitable for scientific information retrieval, there are a number of different applications that use AI specifically for article retrieval. You can find some of them listed below.
NOTE! The services presented below are not organization-licensed and trial and use of the services is at your own risk. Remember information security (see. Artificial intelligence (AI) and information security). Please also note that services may become chargeable or disappear.
Linking the language model to the internet and a search engine allows the language model to provide answers based on internet searches. For example, ChatGPT+plugins, Microsoft Copilot (former Bing Chat), Google Gemini (former Bard), Perplexity.ai and You.com.
Operating principle:
Even in this case, the language model may be hallucinating or misinterpreting sources. So, remember to be critical of the sources. Most tools require registration.
Generative AI is a tool that can help us in our daily lives, at work or in our studies. As with any other tool, ethical, evaluative and appropriate use is the key point.
Misinformation is incomplete or incorrect information, is given inadvertently and is not intended to mislead.
Disinformation is the deliberate distribution of false information, which can be motivated by, among other things, political and social influence, financial gain and malicious intent.
Rudolph, J., Tan, S. & Tan, S. 2023. ChatGPT: Bullshit spewer or the end of traditional assessments in higher education? Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching. 6(1).https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.9
Teel, Z., Wang, T., & Lund, B. 2023. ChatGPT conundrums: Probing plagiarism and parroting problems in higher education practices. College & Research Libraries News, 84(6), 205. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.84.6.205
What is AI? A video by Museum of Science, Boston (4,38)