Since its launch last November, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, has seen its influence spread to a number of fields, including education. Many educators have, however, become increasingly concerned that AI chatbots could inspire cheating in schools. In January, New York City’s Department of Education actually announced a ban on ChatGPT in school devices and networks.

Sharing their views on ChatGPT, professors and lecturers at Vietnam's VinUniversity said the university encourages the use of the chatbot as a tool to support students in learning and research, and will soon incorporate it into the educational process.

Mr. Daniel Ruelle, Director of the English and Communication Program at VinUniversity, said ChatGPT is not a know-it-all option and users should not make an early judgment on its accuracy. It’s also very dangerous for people to hop on the bandwagon and try out ChatGPT without thoroughly understanding how it works. ChatGPT uses existing knowledge on the internet, supported by a huge source of data and with the help of programming, thus answering the questions posed by users and predicting future questions. However, it also learns from the information provided by its users, so there will be a lot of inaccurate results, Mr. Ruelle believes.

We should learn how to adapt to the new application, he went on, instead of feeling threatened by it. Many schools are concerned about their students using ChatGPT for homework, and are switching to paper-based exams to avoid cheating using ChatGPT. But, in fact, this technology is widely applied in many areas of daily life, including education.

Mr. Ruelle affirmed that VinUniversity will help their students be fully informed about the pros and cons of AI and ChatGPT so they can use the tool in the most effective way, instead of simply banning its use.

Professor Wray Buntine, Director of Computer Science Programs at VinUniversity, said the ban on the use of ChatGPT at some schools “doesn’t really matter.” “It’s like Google. We can prohibit students from using it during exams, but that’s all we can do,” he said. “One way or another, students will use ChatGPT.”

Professor Rohit Verma, VinUniversity Rector, said he always encourages lecturers and students to innovate and apply technology in teaching and learning. “Imagine in the future - there will be more and more tools like ChatGPT,” he said. “What we have to do is always be ready to adapt to these new technologies.”

VinUniversity has very strict regulations on lecturers and students quoting documents and information, he added, and even ideas obtained from tools like ChatGPT. This helps students be conscious and responsible with the information they use.

“As educators, we must help students prepare for both the present and the future,” he said. “The university is ready to support students as much as possible in applying ChatGPT and other technologies such as AI and machine learning in the learning and research process.”

According to Professor Buntine, VinUniversity is in the process of researching and publishing regulations so it can soon apply ChatGPT in teaching and learning. “We could incorporate ChatGPT into the educational process as soon as March,” he said.