PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Should we put the brakes on artificial intelligence? Some computer scientists think so. Carnegie Mellon University is one of the world’s leading incubators. CMU doesn’t think research should stop, but guardrails are necessary.
You may not know about AI, but it has been part of your life for some time now. It can speak to you by name like Siri or Alexis, complete email sentences, and tell you what you want to watch on Netflix. But what really shakes things up is ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an AI language model that provides human-like responses to every prompt, instantly scans the entire internet, and creates articles, periodic reports, legal briefs, and more.
Andy Sheehan: “It looks like we’re in hyperdrive now, and we’re in shock of the future.”
Ramaya Krishnan: “You move fast.”
But moving too fast? One of the world’s largest AI incubators is in our backyard. At Carnegie Mellon University, computer scientists and researchers create amazing tools with human-like intelligence. Ramaya Krishnan, Dean of the Heinz School of Information Sciences, said CMU has no intention of stopping the research, but that administrative rules and controls are needed.
“Guardrails are absolutely necessary. It’s a real problem,” he says.
High school and college students use ChatGPT to write regular reports. When a secretary, paralegal, or clerical job is done, Chat can create paperwork and briefs with just a click. And for reporters with tight deadlines, news stories can be created within seconds.
Another AI called DALL-E can synthesize images on the fly and create new artwork within seconds on command, threatening careers for graphic artists and others. So is AI a threat to all of our jobs?
“When technology changes happen, some jobs and some tasks will be replaced, but other jobs and tasks just happen to be created,” Krishnan said.
As with the internet and other technologies, Carnegie Mellon’s hope is that while AI will replace some jobs, it will enhance existing ones and potentially create new ones. Krishnan said AI will improve productivity, make businesses more successful and require more staff for different tasks. But there are other concerns as well.
“Do you know where the content is coming from? Was it created by a bot? How do you deal with misinformation?” Krishnan said.
Right now, it’s hard to tell if something was made by a bot or a human, or if it’s accurate or real. AI can create hallucinations, or information that appears to be factual.
Some people use this technology to create so-called “deepfakes,” rap songs that look like they belong to Drake or Eminem, but without the artist’s involvement or consent. And what if a criminal or terrorist pretends to be someone you trust and spreads disinformation?
Despite these concerns, CMU says AI has the potential to significantly improve the quality of our lives, especially in educating children.
Consider, for example, what is happening at the LIFE Male STEAM Academy in Monroeville. There, students put on headphones and tackle math problems on a computer screen, receiving personalized attention from a tutor who uses AI technology to monitor each problem.
“What the AI program does is identify which student is struggling with a math problem, notify the tutor that the student is struggling, and the tutor goes to help them. PLUS — Personalized,” said Erin Guts, Head of Partnerships at PLUS — Personalized. Learn Squared at CMU.
Sheehan: “So this doesn’t mean taking someone’s job?”
guts: “No, AI or tutoring is not taking anyone’s job because there are not millions of tutors looking for jobs right now.”
Here’s how it works: A teacher gives a class and students try to solve problems with her cyber tool called MATHia. Meanwhile, the tutor monitors each student on screen. Icons indicate student progress, such as when a student is stuck and has been working on the same problem for several minutes, or when they come up with the wrong answer.
“The tutor is able to step in and guide the students and give them hints. This one-on-one tutoring is really beneficial for the students,” says LIFE Male STEAM Academy Teacher William Roberson. says.
The tutor provides one-on-one support while Roberson addresses the entire class at intervals.
“Classrooms still need teachers, but with this kind of technology, the benefits are much more than one person talking to 20 different children,” Roberson said.
While other places have developed AI tutors where students communicate directly with bots, this program uses AI technology to help teachers and tutors work more efficiently.
And students say they are benefiting from individualized tutoring.
“It’s more like a one-on-one, not like a tutor has to help three people at once,” said Chase, a student at the LIFE Male STEAM Academy.
This program is just one of thousands of AI applications that are changing our lives. And while this seems like a good thing, other things can have varying consequences.
In any case, much of it is being developed in the backyard of Carnegie Mellon University, and Pittsburgh has a strong foothold in the AI space.
