OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a powerful AI chatbot, is poised to revolutionize academic writing and make a significant impact on education, research, and academia. This was highlighted by Prof. Shalini R. Urs, former Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of Mysore, during a special lecture titled ‘ChatGPT and Academic Writing’ held at Vijnana Bhavana, Manasagangothri.
During her lecture, Prof. Shalini Urs shed light on the potential influence of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. Known for its advanced natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT has gained attention for its ability to generate responses to various inquiries and create content encompassing text, images, and code. Prof. Shalini Urs emphasized the transformative effect of this technology on academic writing and content creation in general.
ChatGPT’s core technology is based on Large Language Models (LLMs), which utilize extensive artificial neural networks to excel in natural language processing tasks such as text generation and classification. With billions of parameters, LLMs demonstrate remarkable capabilities.
Prof. Shalini Urs delved into the realm of academic writing, highlighting the importance of precision, research, and lucidity in both student and expert academic writing. She underscored ChatGPT’s potential role in enhancing academic tasks such as data analysis, literature review, experiment design, and essay refinement. The chatbot can aid in idea generation, citation management, and essay refinement, making it a valuable virtual assistant for amplifying efficiency.
The presentation not only demystified the academic writing process but also emphasized the ethical use of AI tools, including ChatGPT, in academic writing endeavors while upholding integrity and ethical standards.
In a keynote speech, Prof. Muzaffar H. Assadi from the Department of Political Science and In-Charge Chairman of the Department of English, highlighted the imperative of harnessing the advantages offered by AI for societal progress. However, he cautioned against the potential threats that arise from societal divisions resulting from AI-related advantages.
While AI has the power to revolutionize civilization, it also brings adverse effects, particularly concerning the job market and workforce. The emergence of AI-driven news anchoring is just the beginning of a broader transformation. Prof. Assadi advised students to make judicious and thoughtful use of ChatGPT and similar AI tools, acknowledging their potential while being aware of potential pitfalls and unintended consequences.
Prof. N.S. Harinarayana, Chairman of the Department of Library and Information Science, facilitated a discussion on the clash between traditional academic methods and advanced AI technology. Concerns about the potential impact of ChatGPT on the authenticity of academic writing were addressed.
The lecture also saw participation from Prof. H.S. Nagendraswamy, Chairman of the Department of Studies in Computer Science, Prof. M.S. Sapna, Chairman of the Department of Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication, and Prof. M. Chandrashekara from the Department of Studies in Library and Information Science.
With its sophisticated natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT promises to revolutionize academic writing and enhance various aspects of scholarly communication. It is crucial to responsibly harness this AI tool’s potential to ensure integrity, ethical standards, and societal progress.
