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Newsweek
6 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
American Students Are Relying On ChatGPT - At Their Own Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The use of generative artificial intelligence by students has increased over the last two years, but now research has revealed what is driving the trend. A new survey found that students appreciated the ability of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to provide information without any judgement, with many respondents describing it as a "safe and supportive" learning tool. Why It Matters The use of artificial intelligence in academic work is one of the biggest ethical issues facing the education sector. Tools like ChatGPT, which are being updated regularly to be more intelligent, can serve a purpose in helping students' work, but there is a worry that an overreliance could lead to problems. What To Know Last year, a study in the journal Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence outlined that of 490 university students, one in four respondents (23.1 percent) relied on ChatGPT for drafting assignments and writing homework. That research has now been backed up by a new report in the Tech Trends journal, published in June this year, which found that 78.7 percent of respondents were using generative AI regularly for their studies. "Particularly noteworthy is that students perceived GenAI as useful because they are not judged by it and because of its anonymity," the report read. "Students generally feel comfortable using GenAI for either general or learning purposes, perceiving these tools as beneficial especially with regard to their anonymity and non-judgmental nature." Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva However, the reliance on AI can be a double-edged sword. Another study from MIT found that extended use of LLMs for research and writing could have long-term behavioral effects, such as lower brain engagement and laziness. The study, released this week without peer review, indicated that an overreliance on tools like ChatGPT "could actually harm learning, especially for younger users." It compared brain activity between students using ChatGPT and students using traditional writing methods. The study found that the AI-assisted writers were engaging their deep memory processes far less than the control groups, and that their information recall skills were worse after producing work with ChatGPT. What People Are Saying Akli Adjaoute, an artificial intelligence security expert and author of Inside AI, told Newsweek of another pitfall for students. He says generative AI remained influenced by human hands in its programming, and "cannot be trained to be completely free of bias." He added, "This is not a bug, it just reflects our world. AI does not invent knowledge. It learns from data created by people. And people, even with the best intentions, carry assumptions, disagreements, and historical baggage. "AI systems are trained on information from many sources: books, websites, job applications, police records, medical histories, and social media. All of this information reflects human choices, including what we believe, what we value, and who has held power. "If the data contains stereotypes or discrimination, the AI will absorb it. In many cases, it does not just copy the bias; it amplifies it." What Happens Next ChatGPT and other LLM tools continue to be updated regularly, but the academic sector is not moving as fast, and there is still no united approach on how AI tools should be handled.
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Forbes
Students Are Already Using AI. Are Colleges Teaching AI Literacy?
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 29: People walk on the campus of the University of North Carolina ... More Chapel Hill on June 29, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution, bringing an end to affirmative action in higher education. (Photo by) While students are turning to AI in droves, colleges are behind the adoption curve. A June 2025 study published in TechTrends found that over 85% of college students have already integrated generative AI into their academic lives. However, most (80%) have no structured support in how to use it well, and 70% are asking for AI use guidance. We're at a pivotal moment. Higher education must shift from policing AI to preparing students for it. The old playbook—banning tools, rewriting honor codes, treating generative AI as a threat to academic integrity—misses the larger opportunity. Students are not waiting for a syllabus update to experiment with AI. What they need now is intentional, ethical guidance: how to use AI to think more critically, write more clearly, and engage more deeply. Without this support, we risk reinforcing educational inequities and sending graduates into an AI-driven world unprepared to question, interpret, or lead. Let's start by clearing up a common misconception: Students aren't just using AI to cut corners. The TechTrends study highlighted that many are using AI to ask better questions, not just find better answers. In fact, 52% reported using it to clarify complex material, 38% for technical documentation, and 29% for self-assessment. What they valued most wasn't convenience; it was the nonjudgmental, on-demand nature of the tool. This aligns with the findings of Acuity's Asking to Learn study, which analyzed how students engage with AI when prompted to use it to improve their learning. In this qualitative research, students described AI tools as 'mirrors' and 'mentors' to explore ideas without the fear of looking foolish. The AI's responsiveness made them more willing to take intellectual risks. In other words, many students aren't asking AI to think for them. They're asking it to help them to improve their thinking. But not all students are benefiting equally. The TechTrends study found significant variation in AI readiness across demographic lines. For example, students at community colleges and technical institutions reported the highest levels of AI readiness, while students at for-profit institutions and private colleges felt less confident. Students who were also working full-time expressed the least benefit from AI tools, possibly because they had less time to explore them or viewed them with greater skepticism. Even more concerning: While students are adopting these tools quickly, many don't feel they understand them. A 2024 global survey by the Digital Education Council found that 58% of students felt unprepared for the AI-enabled workforce, and a full 72% said their universities should offer formal training in AI literacy. So what does it mean to be AI literate? It's not just about prompt engineering or knowing which tool gives the fastest response. AI literacy is a multidimensional skill set that blends technical fluency, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking and is for every student in every field. As a college and AI strategist, I see this play out in real time: The students who are best positioned to thrive are not just those who use AI, but those who know when and how to use it responsibly. They treat AI as a tool for amplification; not substitution. Drawing on guidance from the American Library Association's draft AI competencies and UNESCO's AI Competency Framework, it includes: A few colleges are beginning to lead. And California is now requiring AI literacy in K–12 public education; a signal to higher ed about what's coming. But these are exceptional cases. And the danger of doing nothing is very real. Left unguided, students may misuse AI not out of malice, but confusion. We cannot afford to let that confusion define the next generation's relationship to this transformative technology. As educators and leaders, our responsibility isn't to eliminate AI from the classroom. It's to equip students to navigate it wisely, critically, and ethically.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Digital Payment Today - South Africa Embraces Fintech Innovations Amidst Tech Advancements
The "Tech Trends in South Africa 2025" report reveals significant advancements in digital payment systems and fintech across South Africa, underscored by the country's position as one of the world's top 20 crypto markets. The report details the rapid adoption of AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity solutions, noting both growth and challenges such as cybersecurity threats and regulatory hurdles. With digital transformation impacting sectors like ecommerce and digital banking, the report serves as a critical resource for understanding how technology is reshaping financial transactions and payment methods in the region. Elsewhere in the market, was a standout up 4.5% and closing at $46.10, close to the 52-week high. At the same time, softened, down 7.4% to end the day at IDR3,360.00, at its 52-week low. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) expects enhanced profitability from strategic advantages and economic growth. Click to explore the detailed narrative on the bank's investment potential. settled at $14.47 up 2.8%. closed at $71.05 up 0.5%. settled at $10.75 down 4.4%. Jump into our full catalog of 188 Digital Payment Stocks, which includes ABN AMRO Bank, Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski Spólka Akcyjna and Bank of Baroda, here. Invested in any of these stocks? Simplify your portfolio management with Simply Wall St and stay ahead with our alerts for any critical updates on your stocks. Simply Wall St is a revolutionary app designed for long-term stock investors, it's free and covers every market in the world. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sources: Simply Wall St "South Africa's AI & Fintech Boom: Key Insights from 2025 Tech Trends Report" from Research and Markets on GlobeNewswire (published 27 February 2025) Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:BAC NasdaqGS:SOFI NasdaqGS:PYPL NYSE:NU and IDX:BBRI. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@
