This week we played around with Ai.
Before this module, I knew very general things about Ai and had only played around with ChatGPT and various free image generators. I learned through this week’s readings much more about Ai and how best to utilize it. I’ve always been a bit weary of generative Ai tools but I think through this process I became a bit less scared of using these programs available to me.
What I learned:
LLMs are large language models, these represent a sub-section of generative Ai tools like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Gemini Google that produce human-like text based on prompts and in some cases are connected to the internet.
This is what ChatGPT gives as a definition of generative Ai:
“Generative Ai is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content—like text, images, music, or video—by learning from existing data. It uses models like GPT for text or GANs for images to generate realistic, creative outputs, mimicking human-like creativity. It’s used in various fields like art, content creation, and entertainment.”
I learned about how Ai is basically undetectable, how it is based on prediction and how even it has its limitations. For example, 10-20% of what they produce is hallucination, it’s not real and they are not good at understanding the text they are putting out, there is also a large environmental impact of using so much power.
I learned about SAMR and TPACK, two models of evaluating the use of technology in learning.
What I did (Prompting Ai):
I chose to use Gemini Google because unlike ChatGPT which I am more familiar with. This LLM is connected to the internet. I made sure to listen to the advice given to me for talking to an Ai like giving the Ai a role to play. Telling it who it was. So I told it it was a student at university. I broke my request down into steps like I was suggested to do to help it process what I wanted from it and not have it get confused along the way.
This is what I asked of Gemini Google:
You are an education student in university writing about the pros and cons of the SAMR model of learning. First, give 3 examples of substitution in the classroom and secondly describe their pros and cons in terms of learning.
This first response was lengthy but pretty accurate. It understood what SAMR model was and what I wanted and assumed the role of an education student. It delivered correct information on the types of substitutions and their cons in the classroom. My one complaint with this was that it was too lengthy so I tried again:
Could you shorten this information down to be more bite sized?
This was much better. The information was made more digestible but I didn’t like that the pros and cons weren’t specific to the examples of substitution it gave me, so I tried again:
Could you write that again but with the specific cons attached to each example of substitution.
With my third try I finally got the result I wanted. It definitely helps to pick at the Ai to get it to do what you want. Doing this did make me feel a bit bossy though.
Then I repeated the same process but with a slighlty more specific prompt.
You are an education student in university. You will write a short TPACK analysis of the use of a Generative AI tool for learning, specifically gemini google.
Then I felt stuck in a loop trying to get different formats of the answer. I kept getting the same format and undergoing the same shortening process. I found it hard and a bit tiring to type such direct instructions to the AI. I know that is the easiest way for it to understand our requests, but it makes me feel bad.
A lot of the answers and things Ai generates can be very cookie-cutter perfect, in a way that becomes bland. I found it fascinating how the term Ai generated is associated with things that aren’t very good. It is true that Ai allows for creativity to be accessed by more people and can make creation faster. However, there are still so many things about Ai, like using artists’ content from the internet without consent and a lack of critical thinking that limits it and makes it sometimes a questionable source of help. This module did show me different ways however in which I could use Ai to benefit my learning experiences. Ai is not perfect but it is a growing tool that cannot be ignored and we should all learn how to use effectively.
Link to Natasha’s blog I commented on:
Ai Citations
“Define Generative Artificial Intelligence, a short and sweet version plz.” prompt. ChatGPT, OpenAI, 10 Oct. 2024, https://chatgpt.com/?temporary-chat=true.
“You are an education student in university writing about the pros and cons of the SAMR model of learning. First give 3 examples of substitution in the classroom and secondly describe their pros and cons in terms of learning.” prompt. Gemini Google, 1.5 Flash, 10 Oct. 2024, https://gemini.google.com/app/e1f6fea957ad0cb2.
“Could you shorten this information down to be more bite sized?” follow-up prompt. Gemini Google, 1.5 Flash, 10 Oct. 2024, https://gemini.google.com/app/e1f6fea957ad0cb2.
“Could you write that again but with the specific cons attached to each example of substation. ” follow-up prompt. Gemini Google, 1.5 Flash, 10 Oct. 2024, https://gemini.google.com/app/e1f6fea957ad0cb2.
Hi Andrea! I love how you have been adding photos at the top of the modules — I think they’re super cute! I have a question for you: after using GEMINI do you think you’re gonna make the switch from ChatGPT? I personally really enjoyed using GEMINI, and I was considering it since it hyperlinks webpages, so if we wanted more information, we could go look. I thought this was a really cool feature that ChatGPT didn’t have. I also totally understand the feeling of frustration when the AI isn’t doing what I asked it to do. It kinda feels like asking a kid to do something multiple times but they just aren’t getting it. Relating back to my question, do you think this did a better job than ChatGPT? I sometimes found myself more frustrated with ChatGPT since it didn’t have draft options. I know you and I probably use AI for different reasons coming from the fact that we are from different majors so, I thought it was refreshing you found it bland. For me, it was always wrong. But, nice to know that it AI sucks in more ways than one lol!
Andrea! I loved your post and seeing your exploration of AI tools… I understood and felt your hesitancy surrounding them. What really resonated with me though was your experience in feeling ‘bossy’ towards AI – I have felt that way too. I guess it gets to the core of the AI tool experience though – that the prompt you provide dictates what you get out of it. Constantly redefining and tuning that prompt can help the context you have tacitly align with the context the AI tool has! Still though, you’re right – it can feel a bit… mean. I tend to humanize these AI tools as well and I think its natural for us to do this as humans.
I have been curious about intellectual property rights surrounding AI and was hoping you would touch on it with the perspective of you being an artist. Do you feel conflicted using AI image generation tools? What type of compensation should artists receive for having their art used by AI tools? Do you think anything will be done about this?
Hey Andrea, I really liked your post! It was cool to see how you explored different ways to interact with GEMINI. The way you broke down your prompts step by step was really smart. I’m curious, do you think AI tools like GEMINI can be integrated into group projects in a way that actually makes collaboration easier, or do you think it might complicate things? Would love to know your thoughts!