It seems that hardly a day goes by when Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning are not somewhere in the news. At the time of writing (May 2023), most discussions focus on what are known as Generative Artificial Intelligence models. Two, in particular, have hit the headlines: ChatGPT from OpenAI/Microsoft and Bard from Google.
Generative AI (GAI) models generate content rather than provide expertise in a specific field, i.e. spotting cancer cells in X-rays.
ChatCPT and Bard both output text. The “chat” starts with a prompt phrase and the GAI generates a textual response. But other GAIs generate audio and images in response to a text prompt or selection of parameters.
Why has AI suddenly become such a hot topic? Should schools be interested and/or concerned?
The NEN has commissioned a paper that provides an overview of AI and its potential impact on the education sector. The paper considers the use of AI and the impact that the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence may have on education and the wider society.