Editor’s note: Collegian editors did an experiment with AI in an effect to illustrate this story. The editors gave Microsoft Designer’s AI image generator this prompt: “I want you to create a piece of art that involves Artificial Intelligence, South Dakota State University and Jackrabbits.” The AI site produced eight pieces of art, which can be viewed above.
With the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence, South Dakota State University officials are trying to take steps to ensure it is being used appropriately and seen in a positive light for students.
“There have been major stories being published about universities not having comprehensive policies, and where’s the technology leading?” said Vice Provost Victor Taylor.
That’s something Taylor and other SDSU officials want to avoid.
Last spring, Dennis Hedge, provost for Academic Affairs, started a task force to survey GenAI use on SDSU campus and develop guidelines relating to teaching and research.
“Meeting with Provost Hedge, he was thinking, ‘Well, I think we probably need to start addressing this at a higher level and not just leave it up to faculty to figure it out,” Taylor said. “We need to help and be part of the conversation.’”
This task force is currently being structured, but a preliminary report is anticipated by the end of the spring semester.
“One of the goals is to write a white paper and develop workshops for faculty, staff and students around GenAI,” Taylor said. “First, we are going to have a conversation with everyone involved, the faculty, staff and the administration to get a sense of where we are.”
ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, was launched in November 2022. Since then, AI has adapted progressive learning through its programming and the inputs people put into it. It can be both detrimental to students in higher education, and useful when used correctly.
“Tools like ChatGPT, MS Copilot and Perplexity can enhance SDSU students learning opportunities with big potential in this GenAI era,” said Shouhong Zhang, director of Instructional Design. “They provide 24/7 access to information and tutoring assistance to individual student needs.”
Zhang said he uses AI tools to save time when he needs to focus on more important tasks. He added that it makes him more productive and efficient in his work, and that SDSU leads by example.
“I also think the conversation on AI will continue to evolve till we no longer notice it’s ‘special’ technology in our life like we use (Microsoft) Office daily,” Zhang says.
Since the spring semester 2023, SDSU has been focusing on training and implementing effective teaching strategies across campus.
Amy Holm, an instructor in the department of English and interdisciplinary studies, conducted a discussion board to have her students introduce themselves and to share their thoughts on artificial intelligence.
“My fears as a teacher would be that students will see it as an easy route to complete a task without learning anything.” Holm said. “Of course, plagiarism, cheating, academic dishonesty, all of those things worry me, as they always have.”
The English and interdisciplinary studies department has a fundamental guideline regarding the use of artificial intelligence: to use it as a tool, but not to turn in work that isn’t written in your own words.
This fall semester there is a conference that will be open to the SDSU community discussing GenAI. This conference will feature an expert speaker, Samuel Jay, from Metropolitan State University in Denver. The date is to be determined.
