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Machine Education and Learning

AI advancements influence students and education, as detailed by Artem Boresisnev, a senior lecturer from ITMO University's Applied Informatics Faculty, in his column.

Artificial intelligence acquires and improves its knowledge base.
Artificial intelligence acquires and improves its knowledge base.

Current Guidelines and Best Practices for Eco-Friendly AI Usage in Academic Writing

Machine Education and Learning

In today's IT industry, the use of AI during development has become a necessary skill. However, it's essential to remember that simply getting an answer doesn't equate to learning or understanding the problem. This is particularly true in the academic world, where the goal is not just to produce correct answers but also to foster critical thinking and understanding.

Guidelines for Academic Integrity

To maintain academic integrity, it's crucial to disclose the use of AI tools transparently. This means clearly specifying which parts of the academic work were generated or assisted by AI. For instance, in some institutions, it's mandatory to disclose the percentage of generated text. In China, strict limits are set for this percentage, while in Russia, it's currently just noted.

Best Practices for Eco-Friendly AI Usage

When it comes to using AI in academic writing, responsible use is key. This involves using AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for original thought. For example, students can use AI for tasks like organization, grammar, and style enhancements, while keeping the creative and cognitive aspects of writing in their own hands.

Minimizing AI-generated content is another important practice. This helps ensure authenticity and maintains environmental sustainability by reducing unnecessary computations.

Training and Education

Early and ongoing education in AI literacy is essential. This education should emphasize ethical use, bias recognition, and responsible AI integration. Additionally, students should be taught to recognize when AI can be used effectively without compromising academic integrity or environmental sustainability.

Environmental Considerations

Environmental considerations are also crucial in AI usage. This involves encouraging the development and use of energy-efficient AI models to reduce the environmental footprint of computations. Additionally, the lifecycle impact of AI systems, including their development and deployment, should be considered to ensure sustainability.

Future Directions

For programmers and DevOps engineers, the future lies in sustainable AI development. This involves developing AI models that are environmentally sustainable throughout their lifecycle, including energy-efficient algorithms and responsible data usage. In professional settings, DevOps engineers should be trained to integrate AI in a way that aligns with environmental sustainability goals and maintains transparency in AI-assisted workflows.

Challenges and Opportunities

While AI offers powerful tools for academic writing, it also presents challenges such as potential bias and the environmental impact of large-scale computing. By addressing these challenges through transparency, ethical use, and sustainability awareness, future programmers and DevOps engineers can harness AI in a manner that supports both academic integrity and environmental sustainability.

For instance, a study from the Max Planck Institute found that people are using phrases characteristic of ChatGPT more frequently. This raises questions about the impact of AI on the linguistic space in the context of education. Another study from MIT found that essays created with the help of a chatbot were dull and repetitive, and the authors had difficulty reproducing the main ideas of their own texts. These findings highlight the need for careful and thoughtful use of AI in education.

The challenge in the education system is creating and popularizing eco-friendly AI usage methods for students, which involves combating the lazy side of human nature. For example, a recent incident at ITMO University involved a student who submitted a work where about 70% of the text was identified as generated. Despite this, no cheating or moral violations were found, and the student demonstrated the required competencies for her specialty. This incident underscores the need for a balanced approach to AI usage in academia, one that encourages the use of AI as a tool for learning and growth, but not as a crutch for laziness or dishonesty.

In conclusion, the use of AI in academic writing is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and responsible use. By following guidelines for academic integrity, practicing eco-friendly AI usage, and educating students about AI literacy, we can ensure that AI is used as a tool for learning and growth, rather than a shortcut to success.

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  1. In the context of education and self-development, understanding and utilizing technology like artificial-intelligence should be seen as a means to enhance personal growth, not as a substitute for critical thinking or the learning process.
  2. To maintain academic integrity, it is essential to use artificial-intelligence tools responsibly, minimizing AI-generated content in academic writing, and disclosing the use of such tools transparently.
  3. Training and education in AI literacy should emphasize not only the technical skills necessary for using artificial-intelligence, but also ethical use, recognizing bias, and the importance of responsible AI integration for the purpose of learning and personal growth.

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