Empowering Instructors | Supporting Excellence
AI and Teaching
Now more than ever, it is imperative that students graduate from UB with advanced AI Literacy skills. AI Literacy extends information literacy to encompass generative AI’s evolving landscape. UB graduates are recognized for their ability to think critically, act ethically, and serve innovatively, all while providing a beneficial societal impact.
Developing students’ AI Literacy skills is a worthy endeavor but one that begins by first supporting our faculty as they integrate generative AI tools into their classes.
AI Task Force Vision Statement
“The use of Generative AI technology cannot be ignored. Whatever one’s individual opinion on the potential benefits and risks of GAI, it is being integrated into all the digital platforms our students will confront in their daily lives, both as students, and as citizens of the world. We believe it is vital that we educate students about those benefits and risks and help them learn to navigate and thrive within the complexities of this new and changing information and technology landscape than to ignore the situation.”
-Report of the Task Force on Generative AI in Teaching and Learning
How do large language models like ChatGPT work?
Large language models (LLMs) such as GPT‑series are Generative Pre‑trained Transformers. Transformers process sequences of words by paying attention to relationships across the entire text, enabling them to generate coherent responses or essays. Knowing how these models function empowers faculty to evaluate capabilities and limitations when integrating tools like ChatGPT into assignments or lesson planning.
The popular YouTube content creator 3Blue1Brown developed this 8-minute video; it is an excellent introduction to how generative AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are built and operate.
Article by Aatish Bhatia (The New York Times, 04/27/2023). This is an excellent, interactive article that shows how an LLM’s training works and builds to generative content.
How is AI already integrated into everyday tools, and what potential applications exist for teaching?
AI powers recommendation systems (e.g., streaming services), voice assistants, self‑driving cars and medical diagnostics, showcasing its ubiquity. Recognizing these applications can help educators envision how similar technologies (e.g., AI‑driven tutoring, grading aids or content generators) might enhance learning experiences while remaining mindful of ethical and pedagogical implications.
This video, produced by UB’s Office of Curriculum, Assessment, and Teaching Transformation, breaks down what artificial intelligence actually is, how it is already part of our daily lives, and what makes its new generative AI tools so groundbreaking.
What limitations and risks should I be aware of when using generative AI in my classes?
Generative AI can produce inaccurate or biased outputs, generate misinformation, and even be misused to create deepfakes. It is worth noting that machine‑learning models require large datasets and may reflect biases present in their training data. It is important to address bias, misinformation and ethical considerations for responsible AI adoption in education.
Suggested reading: “Gender shades: Intersectional accuracy disparities in commercial gender classification” by Joy Buolamwini and Timnit Gebru. This widely-cited study reveals that the machine learning algorithms that power facial recognition systems have substantial error rates when classifying individuals with darker skin tones.
- Crawford, K. (2021). Atlas of AI: Power, politics, and the planetary costs of artificial intelligence. Yale University Press.
- Mollick, E. (2024). Co-intelligence: Living and working with AI. Penguin Publishing Group.
- Buolamwini, J. (2023). Unmasking AI: My mission to protect what is human in a world of machines. Random House Publishing Group.
UB has an Office of Academic Integrity, which has a wealth of information about Artificial Intelligence as well as guidance on how to handle instances of academic dishonesty.
Turnitin
- Turnitin is UB’s enterprise tool for detecting instances of suspected dishonesty in academic writing, including submitting A.I.-generated content as one’s own original writing.
- To use Turnitin, faculty must collect assignments through UB Learns.