…Thank God for that!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing every aspect of our lives, including education. We see both the good and the bad that can come out of it, and we’re all waiting to see which one will win. One of the main criticisms of AI is its tendency to “see by eye.” In this context, AI hallucinations refer to situations where AI systems generate completely fabricated or incorrect information. This happens because AI models, like ChatGPT, generate responses based on patterns in the data they were trained on, not on understanding the world. When they don’t have the right information or context, they may fill in the blanks with plausible but false information.
The Significance of AI Hallucinations
This means that we cannot blindly trust anything produced by ChatGPT or other Large Language Models (LLMs). The summary of the text may be incorrect, or may contain additional information that was not originally available. In book reviews, characters or events that never existed can be included. When it comes to interpreting or interpreting poetry, the results can be so embellished that they deviate from the truth. Even seemingly basic facts, such as dates or names, can end up being changed or associated with incorrect information.
While various industries and students see negative views of AI as a negative, I, as a teacher, see it as a benefit. Knowing that ChatGPT hallucinates keeps us, especially our readers, on our toes. We can never rely on gen AI completely; we must always double check what they produce. These superstitions motivate us to think critically and verify information. For example, if ChatGPT generates a text summary, we must read the text ourselves to judge whether the summary is accurate. We need to know the facts. Yes, we can use LLMs to generate new ideas, identify keywords or find learning methods, but we must always evaluate this information. And this double-checking process is not only necessary; it is an effective learning method in itself.
Promoting Critical Thinking in Education
The idea of ​​trying to find fault or criticize and criticize the information presented is not new in education. We regularly use error detection and correction in classes, asking students to review content to identify and correct errors. “Spot the difference” is another name for this process. Students are often given a lot of text or information that requires them to identify similarities and differences. Peer review, where students review each other’s work, also supports this idea by asking to identify errors and provide constructive feedback. Cross-referencing, or comparing different parts of something or multiple sources to ensure consistency, is another example. These strategies have long been informed by educational practices to promote critical thinking and attention to detail. So, while our students may not be completely satisfied with the answers provided by generative AI, we, as educators, should be. These signs can ensure that students engage in critical thinking and, in time, learn something new.
How AI Hallucinations Can Help
Now, the tricky part is making sure that students really know about these ideas and their level, understand what they are, where they come from and why they happen. My suggestion for that is to provide practical examples of big mistakes made by gen AI, like ChatGPT. These examples really resonate with students and help them realize that some mistakes can be really important.
Now, even if using production AI is not allowed in a particular situation, we can safely assume that students are using it anyway. So, why don’t we use this to our advantage? My recipe will be to help students grasp the level of AI manipulation and encourage them to engage in critical thinking and fact-checking by organizing forums, groups, or online contests. In these posts, students can share the most important mistakes made by LLMs. By working through these examples over time, students can see for themselves that AI is always deceptive. Also, the challenge to “catch” ChatGPT from another serious error can be a fun game, motivating students to put in more effort.
The conclusion
AI is undoubtedly set to bring about changes in education, and how we choose to use it will ultimately determine whether those changes are good or bad. At the end of the day, AI is just a tool, and its impact depends entirely on how we use it. A perfect example of this is hallucinations. Although many see it as a problem, it can also be used to our advantage.
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