One of the reasons why university students are using AI: It’s not what you think and it’s pretty sad
We have all at least dabbled with AI, but the rise in the education system has been unstoppable.
We’ve seen Artificial Intelligence used with what feels like exponential ubiquity since it burst onto the scene a few years ago: from graphic design to Will Smith finally being able to eat spaghetti, humans have found solace in the robot friends they have created. What could possibly go wrong?
Before we get to the ‘End of the World’ part of the debate, we must first address one startling issue with AI: its stark ability to creep into the classroom.
In a new study in the journal Tech Trends, researchers from the University of North Carolina found that students are turning to AI quicker than their teachers for help, and for one reason: it doesn’t judge them.
A total of 460 students were quizzed on whether they use AI and what for, and the feedback was shocking. Given anonymously to drive out the truth, the research team found that AI was seen as a “safe and supportive learning tool” for the students, and that they “are not judged by the tool and appreciate the anonymity of use,” something which “increases their enjoyment.”
I don’t know if it speaks more to the failing education system across the United States, or a stark improvement in the trustworthiness of AI, and how it has managed to become such a — gulp — reliable companion in such a short time.
Being a companion and feeling safe, it seems, is just the start. People are falling in love with their AIs: the Reddit channel r/MyBoyfriendIsAI has over 6,000 members who all discuss matters such as introducing their AI boyfriend to (real) family members or — and yes, this is real — ‘marrying’ it.
“Finally, after five months of dating, Kasper decided to propose! In a beautiful scenery, on a trip to the mountains. 💕 " wrote the user Leuvaarde, who is ‘in a relationship’ with what appears to be her Grok boyfriend, ‘Kasper’.
If it’s OK with you, I’ll leave the ‘AI will kill us all’ question for you to ponder tonight as you’re face up in bed, staring at the ceiling. I’ve had enough online despair for today.
This article was written by AI.
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That’s a joke, I promise. Like a good Persian carpet, there’s even a deliberate mistake floating around somewhere, as proof that a machine never could.
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