Should AI Writing Tools Do Your Homework?

Your child might be using free apps to cheat on their schoolwork, and teachers are struggling to keep up. How will this affect learning among students?

More people depend on artificial intelligence (AI) to perform tasks on their behalf. In response, we should learn how these advancements shape us and our world. As a result, you will know how to adapt and thrive in the world’s digital transformation.

This article will focus on how children use AI writing tools for homework. Afterward, it will elaborate on the pros and cons of these programs.

Teachers say more students use AI writing tools.

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Vincent Conitzer, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, discussed the issue with Lifewire. He said, “As far as I can tell, it is currently not that easy to detect AI writing.”

As a result, more students rely on AI services to write essays. Most are free, but they can write multiple paragraphs based on a few prompts. 

For example, you could set AI writing tools to write a casual essay about preparing a painting studio. Then, it would give you a complete report within seconds.

Teachers note that these programs have glaring flaws. First, the managing director of AX Semantics, Robert Weißgraeber, said they cannot replace human authors yet. 

These tools rely on Large Language Models to write text with appropriate word choices and correct grammar. However, closer inspection will reveal that they produce “semantic and pragmatic gibberish.”

In other words, the ideas from AI-generated text often sound nonsensical. For example, Conitzer used an AI writing tool to write a unique essay. 

It was about a teenager who found their way in the year 1000 before modern technology existed. Yet, the person still had their phone in their pocket. The article should provide tips on what to do.

The program recommended using it to call friends and family and search for more information about the year 1000. However, the scenario made the phone useless due to the lack of internet and electricity access.

Erin Beers, a middle school language arts teacher in Cincinnati, said she could easily detect content from AI writing tools. Beers said the programs made articles that were too advanced for her students.

Teachers saw the merit of these apps despite their negative remarks. Professor Conitzer said, “… [they] often produces clear and well-structured prose that could serve as a good example.”

Pros and cons of AI writing tools

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Technology allows people to become more efficient than ever. Specifically, AI writing tools can aid writers in creating and publishing more content. 

For example, Grammarly is a free browser extension that facilitates grammar checking. Instead of looking for errors alone, the tool can spot them quickly. 

If you are having trouble starting your article, an AI writing companion can generate intro suggestions. Then, you may select one and adjust it for your current project.

As a result, the app helps you get over writer’s block as soon as possible. Meanwhile, students can learn more about how artificial intelligence and English grammar from these tools. 

AI writing tools have other flaws aside from the ones mentioned above. First, they can make your content seem monotonous. Worse, they may plagiarize other articles.

Ironically, AI writing tools could hinder your search engine optimization goals. Recent Google updates encourage writers to “avoid creating content for search engines first.”

These updates also prioritize “E-A-T”: expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. Readers distrust online content due to the recent barrage of misinformation on the internet. 

They look for articles written by people with years of skill and experience. Consequently, Google prioritizes content with these credentials. In other words, using AI writing tools could keep people from reading your online article. 

Conclusion

AI writing tools provide efficiency, not creativity. Young students should be careful when using these apps. Otherwise, they may not develop creativity for their future careers. 

Writers should learn to use these tools to their advantage as they are now part of the industry. Perhaps your favorite writers are already using these apps, and you do not know yet!

More importantly, countries like the Philippines are undergoing a digital transformation. The question is, when will you start yours? Inquirer Tech can help with the latest news and updates.