You might have heard about or used artificial intelligence-based tools like ChatGPT or DALL-E, but how do these tools actually work? This section will cover how tools like these are made, how they generate information, and some considerations to consider as you assess if and how to use them.
What is actually going on when you use an AI-based tool? Check out this three-minute explanation from Hal Daumé III, Professor of Computer Science at University of Maryland, Institute Director for the Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS). (Video opens in new window, please return to module for next step.)
While some AI-based tools might come to your mind right away, there are a lot of different tools out there with a lot of different uses. As you evaluate how to use these tools responsibly in your academic work, it is useful to keep the breadth of potential uses in mind. You or your instructor might want to use one kind of tool for a certain situation but not others.
Explore some potential applications of AI in the sections below. Please note that this list is not comprehensive or an endorsement of any particular tool used in the examples.
Some tools will give you writing or paraphrasing suggestions (e.g. Grammarly, QuillBot), and other tools will generate new text or code based on a prompt from you (e.g. Bing AI, Claude, ChatGPT, Google's Bard).
Some tools will generate unique images for you, based on a text prompt (e.g. DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney).
Some tools will use written text to generate spoken language or to create talking video avatars (e.g. Synthesia, PlayHT).
Some tools will help you find research articles or links (e.g. Bing AI, Elicit)
Here are four facts about ChatGPT that will be helpful as you think about its uses.
Alongside the exciting possibilities of these AI-based tools, there are many things to be careful about as you assess if and when you want to use them. Start thinking through significant considerations in this two-minute overview video from Katie Shilton, Associate Professor in the College of Information Studies and Co-Director of the BS in Social Data Science at University of Maryland, Co-PI of The Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS). (Video opens in new window, please return to module for next step.)
Explore each section for more about the topics listed below.
Can you trust that the information you receive from these AI-based tools is correct? Not without double checking. Many chatbots, such as ChatGPT, were designed to produce content that seems realistic, so they will produce inaccurate content with the same level of confidence as accurate content, and it's up to you to determine which is which. You'll need to employ a variety of strategies to double-check information before assuming it is correct. You'll learn more about how to do this in the following section.
Where does the content come from? Because machine learning takes huge inputs of data sets, many models use information from the internet in their training. Artists and authors have criticized AI-based tools for using their work without compensation or credit. If an AI-based image generator can produce work in the style of a certain artist, should that be seen as stealing or paying homage?
While it may be tempting to think of an output from an AI-based tool as neutral when it comes to bias, that is not the case. Since machine learning models are trained on real-world datasets, and since the world contains bias, it is safe to assume that outputs from these models may replicate or even exacerbate biases we see in the world around us.
It is safe to assume that -- in some way or another -- any information you put into a AI-based tool is being used to further train the machine learning model. If you choose to use these tools, you'll want to make sure you're never putting personal or secure information about you or anyone else in your chats. You should also read through any user agreements if you sign up to use a particular service and make your own decision if you are comfortable agreeing to the terms. If one of your class projects requires the use of a particular technology that you do not wish to create an account for, you can ask your instructor for an alternative way to complete the assignment.
Explore these additional optional resources for more information on different topics mentioned on this page, as well as references for the content.
Now that you learned generally how AI-based tools work as well as their benefits and risks, continue onto the next page of this module to check your knowledge!