FE Today Logo

How GPT-4 can transform education system

Kaisul Khan | May 03, 2023 00:00:00


Human civilization is all set to embark on the 4th industrial revolution (4IR) courtesy of artificial intelligence (AI). Although scientists and inventors have been working over the decades, remarkable success in this sector has come to light recently. Open AI's GPT-4 is a recent innovation which is 40 per cent more accurate than GPT-3.5 and 82 per cent less likely to respond with disallowed content. The feature which made GPT-4 unique is its ability to write codes in any language. This can potentially change how we educate and learn. It has been a game changer in AI as the fourth generation of Open AI's Generative Pre-Trained Transformer technology.

GPT-4 is an advanced natural language processing (NLP) model with the remarkable ability to comprehend and create human-like language. This cutting-edge technology leverages machine learning to produce text using natural language as its input. With its capacity to generate high-quality text comparable to that created by humans, GPT-4 has the potential to revolutionise the process of communication, learning and teaching.

The GPT-4's forte is its capacity to generate highly customised text suited to the user's unique requirements. For example, this smart technology can generate personalised chats with pupils to help them understand various subjects. Furthermore, GPT-4 has the potential to be an invaluable teaching assistant, providing feedback on assignments and assisting students in their academic pursuits.

The discussion surrounding education and ChatGPT has predominantly revolved around one issue: cheating. Unfortunately, this conversation has become as dull and insipid as an out-of-date chatbot. It is unavoidable that some students will attempt to cheat using GPT-4, and educators must become more competent at detecting academic dishonesty. Fortunately, various tools are available to assist teachers with this difficulty.

However, complaining that GPT-4 is inherently harmful due to its possible misuse is like criticising all books because some students use Cliffs Notes. GPT-4 is a tool, and the most astute instructors use it to change and improve the learning process. Indeed, the language model has already earned its place as a crucial element in education and learning. Its applications are extensive, and it is being utilised in numerous ways to enhance various aspects of the educational process. For instance, GPT-4 is utilised to analyze the success rate of foreign language learners. Additionally, it is employed for creating lesson plans, conducting academic research, evaluating students' performance, and marketing educational products and services.

The popular language-learning app Duolingo has recently added GPT-4 into its latest premium tier, Duolingo Max. GPT-4 is used by the Explain My Answer function to explain to users why they may have answered a question incorrectly. Personalised and rapid feedback was previously difficult to implement on a comprehensive basis.

Another notable feature is RolePlay, which allows users to practice writing conversations in the language they are learning. Human creators created many situations in this function, and users can communicate with GPT-4 within those settings to strengthen their situational communication skills.

ChatGPT was previously helpful for teachers in planning lessons, but GPT-4 is much more responsive. It can help teachers improve their lesson plans by asking follow-up questions about lessons covered and pupils' level of learning. This additional context makes its responses considerably more useful and precise. Furthermore, the ability of GPT-4 to generate videos and images allows teachers to find and create learning resources that supplement and complement their content. Educators may, in essence, create more effective lessons much faster.

GPT-4's capacity to understand and process images can greatly benefit visually challenged children. Apps like 'Be My Eyes' use GPT-4 as a virtual volunteer, allowing users to point their camera phone at an object or written piece, and GPT-4 to describe what is on the screen. This is a game changer for students struggling to understand written directions and interact with visual course materials. ChatGPT previously struggled to provide viable material, using stiff and generic language, and frequently failing to give precise information. Despite these limitations, it was an extremely effective brainstorming tool. The development of GPT-4 has removed this constraint, and now AI is more reliable and trustworthy than ever before. If this development continues, it is expected that technologies like GPT-4 of Microsoft or even BardAI of Google will start playing a crucial role in the education sector.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can significantly influence the research and innovation sector. It can be a fantastic time and energy saver for researchers. For example, students and researchers at the NOVA Information Management School in Portugal can use GPT-4 for coding while studying programming languages such as Python and SQL. Integrating GPT-4 into the learning and research process can make it more efficient and less time-consuming. With its ability to generate text and code, GPT-4 can provide immediate feedback and assistance, allowing students and researchers to identify and correct errors quickly. This can help them learn and complete their work more efficiently while reducing time and effort.

Chatbots are gaining popularity in the education sector, and with GPT-4's expanded capabilities, they can provide more tailored and beneficial interactions with students. Chatbots can answer questions asked, assist students in navigating the university website, and advise on course selection and career prospects. As technology advances, interactions will improve, making them even more valuable to students and universities.

Indeed, AI has made significant inroads into the field of education and has the potential to transform it in various ways. AI is changing the way students learn and professors teach, from personalised learning to intelligent tutoring systems. It is incumbent on all to investigate the possibilities of AI and use it responsibly and ethically in order to improve the educational experience for all students.

[email protected]

Researcher, Digital Analytics Nova Information Management School Lisbon, Portugal


Share if you like