AI with Boundaries: Managing ChatGPT in Intentional, Safe, and Equitable Ways

InstructureCast's new podcast hosts Melissa Loble, Instructure's Chief Customer Experience Officer, and Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Strategy, delve into the exciting world of generative AI in education, exploring the potential of AI in empowering educators and promoting student success while emphasizing the importance of intentional and human-oriented implementation. 

“At Instructure, we've really believed that these kinds of transformative technologies, especially those surrounding generative AI will lead to student success. They're going to empower educators. They're going to enhance the overall learning experience, which I think is really awesome. There's a lot of dialogue in the community, especially because these technologies need to be intentional. They need to be human oriented. We need to be thoughtful about the broader environment in which these kinds of technologies leveraging generative AI exist.” 

Melissa Loble, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Instructure

They talk about the importance of using generative AI in a safe, ethical, and privacy-conscious way in education. They really emphasize bridging the education gap, making sure that AI-powered learning is accessible to everyone, and not creating a bigger divide between those with access and those without. The pandemic has shown us some serious accessibility issues in education, and they worry that we might lose focus on that as we return to a new normal. Cost and scalability of educational technology can be limiting factors, but they see a lot of potential in these technologies to enhance teaching and learning.

At first, AI faced some backlash in education, with concerns about it being used for cheating. But now, students are realizing its potential for learning, and educators are making sure to use it ethically and preserve critical thinking skills. Some people worry about relying too much on tools like calculators and the internet, but others see them as valuable resources that can improve the learning experience. Digital literacy is a key aspect of education, and integrating technology into the curriculum is crucial.

They also talk about using tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT, and how important it is to have guidance in navigating the digital world. They touch on the potential impact of gendered AI tools and the role of librarians as guides in the digital age.

The episode wraps up with a sneak peek of Panda Bot, a generative AI tool coming to the Instructure Community in August. It's expected to offer innovative solutions while conserving energy and providing resources, road map information, and advanced engineering experiments.

Overall, the episode is full of valuable insights into the potential of generative AI in education. It stresses the need for intentional and human-oriented implementation of AI-powered learning tools, ensuring they are safe, ethical, and accessible. At the same time, it celebrates the positive impact that technology can bring to the teaching and learning experience. So, hop on over to InstructureCast and get inspired!

For more information about generative AI, be sure to check out these links: 

• Instructure's AI Guiding Principles
• AI Information Hub in the Community
• AI Resources Hub in the Study Hall