ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer), a generative language model using artificial intelligence (AI), is a game changer that has been welcomed with open arms as well as created worry.
Developed by OpenAI and launched on Nov 30, 2022, the platform, which is created to respond to questions typed in any natural language, has been a boon.
Users may type in any question such as the complicated "how do you turn on a microwave oven via my Wi-Fi?" to the creative, such as "write a song based on my date of birth".
In academia, the birth of ChatGPT has been welcomed, but experts feel that over-reliance on it could impair critical thinking among varsity students.
Educationist and Skolar Malay-sia co-founder Dr Tazli Azizan feels that the use of ChatGPT by university students opens the door to more active learning strategies.
"ChatGPT is changing practices in the class, meaning more project- or problem-based activities and more active learning strategies are needed. So, students using the programme can improve their critical thinking.
"I am currently advocating for students to use ChatGPT as a means to accelerate their learning progress, as it helps them to learn faster and have a stronger grasp on knowledge."
On June 12, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government would allow the use of AI-driven ChatGPT, but its use must be based on a set of guidelines, which had been distributed to local universities.
Tazli added that guidelines must ensure that students did not solely rely on AI.
"Among the challenges faced
in introducing this programme would be the rampant practices of copying and pasting without thinking.
"This could be overcome by exposing students and academicians to the appropriate use of prompts that reflect their ability in critical thinking skills.
"Academicians should also master the use of AI.
"They must beef up their teaching and learning practices in class by not simply giving chalk-and-talk lectures and assignments that can easily be copied and pasted."
International Islamic University Malaysia Assistant Professor Dr Homam Altabaa said ChatGPT could be a double-edged sword for the learning process.
"It can be a powerful educational tool to help students generate ideas and explore issues from different angles.
"But, if they (students) rely on it completely to find the answers, then you run the risk of dulling your creative and analytical thinking skills."
Homam highlighted the need for proper guidelines on the ethical use of ChatGPT in higher education institutions, urging actions to prevent the technology from creating a significant gap in the learning process and compromising the overall educational system.
English language lecturer Fatin Fatinah Shamsul Bahrn said: "If used heavily, it poses issues such as hindering them from thinking critically, plagiarism and information inaccuracy because students may borrow ideas without citation or mention of the source of the ideas."
She said the advocates of ChatGPT admitted the AI programme was "in training" and was susceptible to a "hallucination" or creation of nonsensical and inaccurate information.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Professor Dr Abdul Kadir Othman said excessive reliance on it might limit students' ability to synthesise information from various sources.
Kadir stressed the need for students to first rely on their own thinking skills before turning to ChatGPT for answers.