Alliance City Schools embraces artificial intelligence, ChatGPT platform

ALLIANCE − Alliance City School District plans to embrace artificial intelligence platforms in its classrooms.

They said AI technology, including Open AI's ChatGPT, is only getting started.

Superintendent Rob Gress said he views AI as an emerging tool in classrooms and workplaces embedded in our daily lives. It is better for the district to understand its capabilities, set policies and incorporate the technology, he said.

ChatGPT in the classroom: Here's what teachers and students are saying

"We can't stop the hands of time. It's going to be here," he said. "Our students are going to use it in the workplace someday. Why not teach them now how to use it?"

Turns a question into an essay quickly

Alliance High School senior Tamra Jackson demonstrated the ChatGPT system Tuesday night for the Board of Education, prompting a spirited conversation between board members on the practicality of the AI-chatbot platform.

For example, Jackson, representing the student body, showed them how ChatGPT can turn a question into five-paragraph essay within seconds. She noted it's not always accurate but she expects − as does Gress − the technology will get better.

"It can answer any type of question, like how do I build a deck?" asked board member William Koch.

Jackson entered his question into Chat GPT. It answered with details in less than a minute.

Koch, impressed, nodded.

Gress said he believes AI technology will save students' and teachers' time. For example, it can create lesson prompts within seconds for classroom discussions.

"I think the dangers are teaching kids bad habits, teaching kids not to think critically," he said.

Mount Union uses AI in classrooms

Board member Beth Canfield-Simbro, an associate professor of education at the University of Mount Union, said her college students already use ChatGPT and other AI resources for their assignments. She said she requires them to cite AI research in their papers.

"I tell my students that I'm fine with them using it to brainstorm and create outlines, and I have a citation they need to incorporate in their references," she said.

Canfield-Simbro said AI-generated content comes across as robotic, making it easier to detect. That won't always be the case, she said, and it is a concern universities and school districts will need to address.

Another concern is how students could use AI to cheat on school work.

But, Canfield-Simbro said, "Students have always been able to cheat on things, so that's nothing new" for schools to tackle.

In other business, Alliance City Schools Board:

• Approved overnight accomodations for a member of the Alliance High Speech and Debate Team to participate and compete in the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament in June in Arizona.

• Approved a resolution for 2023-24 membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

• Authorized the district's treasurer to advertise for bids and open them for construction of a new fieldhouse at Alliance Elementary School.

UPCOMING − The board's next regular meeting will be 5 p.m. May 16 at Alliance Elementary School.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: ChatGPT, AI technology being embraced in Alliance City Schools