The Charger Blog
Beatrice Glaviano Ӱԭ26 reflects on the balance between technology, academic integrity, and the use of AI as a supportive tool rather than a substitute.
April 17, 2025
I really donӰԭt like AI. If we had, say, Iron ManӰԭs JARVIS, now thatӰԭs something I could get behind. Instead, we have technologies such as Siri, Alexa, and most infamously, ChatGPT.
Before I get cancelled by the internet, I believe AI can be extremely useful in a few cases. Need instructions on how to make a resume outline? A cover letter? ItӰԭs got your back. For non-professional utilization, I often use Siri to help me set alarms while IӰԭm baking, as my hands are usually smeared with dough, sugar, or butter. So, there are definitely applications for AI, itӰԭs just a matter of whether or not theyӰԭre appropriate.
*Coughs* Especially in the university setting *Coughs*.
Recently, I found out that someone got in trouble at my siblingӰԭs high school for using ChatGPT to write an essay. Keep in mind, high school is for ages 14-18, generally, and there is a slim chance that they have perfect grammar.
My sibling, yelling at me: ӰԭSKIBIDI TOILET >:D!!!!!!!!!!!"
Me, mid PB&J bite: ӰԭI- what?Ӱԭ
See what I mean? Anyways-
"I donӰԭt think it [ChatGPT] has anything to do with education, except undermining it. ChatGPT is basically high-tech plagiarism... and a way to avoid learning"(Abbas et al.)
The usage of ChatGPT has brought a lot of concerns to the educational and professional worlds, such as Ӱԭ...ethical, social, and employment challengesӰԭ (Md. Asraful Haque and Li). Unless permitted by the professor, AI software should not be utilized to do formal assignments or projects. This would be considered cheating or academic dishonestyӰԭ and I donӰԭt think anyone wants that letter from the Dean. In my personal opinion, ChatGPT is great for mathematical equations for classes such as Physics, Pre-Calc, etc. Yet, IӰԭd stop there before it does the math for you. As stated by Noam Chomsky in , ӰԭI donӰԭt think it [ChatGPT] has anything to do with education, except undermining it. ChatGPT is basically high-tech plagiarism... and a way to avoid learningӰԭ (Abbas et al.) and yӰԭknow what? I couldnӰԭt agree more.
I feel as though so many people just donӰԭt want to learn anymore. Yes, I know Physics and Math are not playing baseball with the boys or doodling on Procreate. Yet, a lack of learning is so against human nature... what else could be going on to cause this digital pandemic?
Apparently, studies have indicated that Ӱԭ...overburdened students are more likely to rely on unethical means to complete their academic tasks instead of relying on their own abilities and learningӰԭ (Abbas et al.). Now, this makes sense. Burnout is draining to go through, and it makes every assignment 10x more difficult to get done. Using AI in this context is more understandable. High workloads and mental exhaustion can lead to people taking shortcuts in their work, even though they are organically good in their academics. Will this still be detrimental to the learning process? Yes, but there is a lower chance of them consistently relying in AI due to their independent nature.
The last point IӰԭd like to make is in regards to the detriment to brain function ChatGPT can generate in students. The primary functions of our brain dwindle down to a few things:
Think of the brain as a computer. When you open task manager, you have your first couple of independent processes that youӰԭve opened, such as Google Chrome. Then, if you look down, you see about a hundred other processes happening. The brain works in a similar way: conscious and unconscious (background) thinking. You learn how to do more conscious, active processes by doing them and build memory through learning.
So, ӰԭOver time, overreliance on generative AI tools for academic tasks, instead of critical thinking and mental exertion, may damage memory retention, cognitive functioning, and critical thinking abilitiesӰԭ (Abbas et al.). ThatӰԭs not good. When I said youӰԭll lose it if you donӰԭt use it, I wasnӰԭt kidding.
YouӰԭre born with all the neurons youӰԭll ever have in your life. They die and fade away, eaten up by glial cells or other phagocytic cells. This loss of brain Ӱԭ neurodegeneration Ӱԭ is common with diseases such as AlzheimerӰԭs and dementia. Learning and memorization help prevent them from occurring, which is undermined by AI usage.
The moral of the story here is that AI Ӱԭ whether it be ChatGPT, Siri, etc. Ӱԭ is not ӰԭgoodӰԭ or Ӱԭbad.Ӱԭ ItӰԭs a tool to use as you please, but itӰԭs also a tool you do not want to abuse. Keep in mind the brain stuff, and remember that you have other resources aside from AI at the University 😊.
Wishing my best to you all, and remember that your brain can do hard things!
With peace, love, and peanut butter,
Beatrice
Abbas, Muhammad, et al. ӰԭIs It Harmful or Helpful? Examining the Causes and Consequences of Generative AI Usage among University Students.Ӱԭ International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 21, no. 1, 16 Feb. 2024, educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-024-00444-7, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00444-7. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Cunnington, Ross. ӰԭNeuroplasticity: How the Brain Changes with Learning.Ӱԭ IBE Ӱԭ Science of Learning Portal, 18 Sept. 2019, solportal.ibe-unesco.org/articles/neuroplasticity-how-the-brain-changes-with-learning/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Johnson, Douglas, et al. ӰԭAssessing the Accuracy and Reliability of AI-Generated Medical Responses: An Evaluation of the Chat-GPT Model.Ӱԭ Assessing the Accuracy and Reliability of AI-Generated Medical Responses: An Evaluation of the Chat-GPT Model, vol. 1, 28 Feb. 2023, assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2566942/v1/5c64b009-ab48-47a7-bd66-afc5c46d97af.pdf?c=1677623849, https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2566942/v1. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Md. Asraful Haque, and Shuai Li. ӰԭExploring ChatGPT and Its Impact on Society.Ӱԭ AI and Ethics, 21 Feb. 2024, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-024-00435-4, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-024-00435-4. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
The Charger Blog
Patryk Jaroszkiewicz '16, '20 M.S., who is pursuing his Ph.D. in criminal justice, received a prestigious civilian honor from the Commander of the Polish National Police for his work bridging two distinctly different police forces.
The Charger Blog
Beatrice Glaviano Ӱԭ26 reflects on the balance between technology, academic integrity, and the use of AI as a supportive tool rather than a substitute.
The Charger Blog
A new course launched by the University of New HavenӰԭs Career Development Center is helping to ensure students are prepared to apply for internships and jobs. ӰԭApplication ReadyӰԭ provides essential resources on resumes, networking, and interviewingӰԭall in one place.