As artificial intelligence (AI) use has become more widespread, it has significantly impacted the everyday lives of many people. Opinions on whether AI is helpful differ — while some try to avoid usage as much as possible, others use it to a varying degree. Supporters often suggest that usage improves efficiency, or is convenient for offloading tedious work. Opponents believe AI is an environmental concern, a potential security risk and a tool to spread misinformation.
The argument concerning AI use has now spread to universities. With AI-related policies often being left up to their discernment, university staff are now faced with a decision. They can embrace it, or they can discourage its use.
The Red & Black asked UGA students to share their opinions on the usage of AI in the classroom and beyond.
Ro Hilson, junior management information systems major
“Professors have the right to do what they want to. Personally, I think regardless of whether or not they ban it, students are going to use it anyway, or find a way to use it,” Hilson said. “But I definitely can see why professors would want to ban AI, just for the purposes of learning.”
Walter Moody, junior music major
“I think it makes it way easier to avoid learning the material. I’m definitely against AI, just because of the environmental impact,” Moody said. “I’m completely against it. Like BlackRock buying up the land just so they can build data centers and raising our housing prices — I mean, it’s not great, and so I’m completely against it.”
Habib Rahman, senior psychology and accounting major
“It’s like two sides. Some professors are still ‘no AI at all’ and then other professors are using it in their assignments, or they’re giving us AI chatbots that have the class material in it so we can use it to study. Some professors still hate it; others, I think have just surrendered in a way,” Rahman said.
Britney Nguyen, senior risk management and insurance major
“I don’t think they should completely ban it. Going back to just the huge classes, you can’t really have one-on-ones with professors all the time — there’s a lot of loopholes in education. I feel like AI can help you study. For example, for exams, you can put the slides into AI and just generate sample questions.” Nguyen said.
Gaby Ellis is a junior political science major at the University of Georgia.
