ChatGPT at Boston College, an AI Self Examines

On March 21, 2023, the Torch Staff conducted an interview with ChatGPT on its use in the realm of academics and its thoughts on Boston College’s Catholicism in an attempt to demonstrate and explain this recent development in the technological world. This is how it went:

Torch Staff: Thanks for being here, ChatGPT. Let’s start with your applications to academics. Can you share some examples of how you can be useful in academic settings? 

ChatGPT: Absolutely, Torch Staff. As an AI language model, I can assist students and teachers in a variety of ways. For instance, I can help students with their research by providing relevant and accurate information on a particular topic. I can also generate study guides, practice quizzes, and even essays that adhere to specific formatting and citation styles. In addition to that, I can help teachers grade papers and assignments more efficiently. I can also assist in creating lesson plans and generating discussion topics for class. And with my natural language processing capabilities, I can even help with language learning and translation tasks. 

Torch Staff: Those are some great examples of how you can be useful. However, some may argue that relying too much on AI technology in academic settings could lead to a lack of academic integrity. What are your thoughts on this issue? 

ChatGPT: Academic integrity is definitely a concern when it comes to the use of AI technology in education. However, I believe that as long as the technology is used appropriately and ethically, it can actually enhance academic integrity. For instance, using an AI-powered plagiarism checker can help students and teachers ensure that all work is original and properly cited. And when it comes to generating content, it’s important to use AI tools as a supplement to human intelligence, rather than a replacement. Teachers can still provide guidance and feedback on assignments, while using AI to help students generate ideas and refine their work. 

Torch Staff: That’s a good point. Shifting gears a bit, Boston College is a Catholic university. How does Catholicism impact the academic culture there, and what is your perspective on this? ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal beliefs or opinions, but I can provide information on Catholicism at Boston College. The university’s Jesuit tradition places a strong emphasis on social justice, service to others, and ethical leadership. These values are integrated into the curriculum and the university’s mission, which seeks to educate the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. The presence of Catholicism at Boston College is evident in various aspects of campus life, from the architecture of buildings to the numerous religious and spiritual activities available to students. However, the university is also committed to welcoming students and faculty of all faiths and backgrounds, and fostering a diverse and inclusive community.