Have a terrible coffee stain on the trousers you were planning to wear tomorrow? Unsure of how to pack in your protein intake goals for the week? Or, how about this – you completely forget how to find the hypotenuse of a triangle. I mean, who remembers high school math anyways? So you log onto Google, plug in your math equation in hopes of finding a Quizlet with all the answers, only to find Chegg with the exact answer you need. You click on it, and need a paid subscription – What do you do?
Google, take a backseat, it’s time for OpenAI. Monday, October 23, 2023, was the Generative AI showcase which highlighted creative work of FSU students. Associate Professor J.J. Sylvia’s Coding Class submitted examples of their work, which were presented at the event. He encourages his students to learn how to command AI and prompt Chat GPT in ways that deliver the results they are looking for. The examples consisted of leveraging AI for games, photo design, astrology, quizzes, poems, and even coding the well known game “2048” to win the game.
Students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with AI, allowing them to harness their AI skills effectively in the professional environment. Sylvia emphasizes the importance of incorporating AI into educational curricula, stating, “Including it in classes can help us make sense of AI.”
Embracing new technological advancements can be daunting, given the rapid pace of change. Instead of resisting this shift, confronting AI to overcome the initial learning curve is the most effective way to gain proficiency. This educational journey can commence within the classroom. Professor Sylvia further explains, “We often learn from when things don’t work out well,” highlighting that when ChatGPT fails to provide the desired output, individuals can refine their input strategies through adjustments, eventually gaining the ability to command AI like seasoned coders.
“About 60% of coders use Chat GPT regularly.” If coders are employing ChatGPT as a search engine, perhaps it’s time for students to cultivate the ability to manipulate AI to obtain their desired results. Universities take pride in furnishing students with competencies that confer a competitive advantage. Today, that advantage is the capacity to effectively instruct AI to yield the desired outcomes.
Professor J.J. Sylvia emphasizes that “Like any tool, it takes practice to use well” and “Prompting and using AI well takes practice.” Similar to other skills, mastery requires time and dedication. Initiate the journey. Engage with ChatGPT and pose a question – any question. Take that initial step and integrate it into your daily routine, enabling you to acquire these proficiencies as well.
And yes, the image was generated by AI.
