Victor SeowJan 11, 2023
Nick Montfort

A colleague and I just wrote “Advice Concerning the Increase in AI-Assisted Writing” for other instructors at MIT. Personal thoughts & suggestions, not official policy, but perhaps interesting

https://nickm.com/schiappa_montfort/ai_advice_2023-01-10.pdf

Jan 10, 2023 at 8:51pmWeb
Show threadallisonJan 10, 2023
@nickmofo this is very thoughtful and even-handed, thank you for sharing it!
Show threadpersonJan 10, 2023
@nickmofo Thanks so much for sharing. Is this published in HTML anywhere? Reading the PDF now, but it's hard on mobile since there's no responsive zoom.
Show threadNick MontfortJan 10, 2023
@person72443 You’re right to ask about that. I will post it in HTML as soon as possible, but have guests at the lab, so it will be later tonight!
Show threadpersonJan 10, 2023
@nickmofo no rush and no problem! Appreciate the time and the doc 🙏
Show threadNick MontfortJan 10, 2023

@person72443 Here it is in HTML

https://nickm.com/post/2023/01/advice-concerning-the-increase-in-ai-assisted-writing/

Advice Concerning the Increase in AI-Assisted Writing

Edward Schiappa, Professor of Rhetoric Nick Montfort, Professor of Digital Media 10 January 2023 [In response to a request, this is an HTML version of a PDF memo for our colleagues at MIT] There has been a noticeable increase in student use of AI assistance for writing recently. Instructors have expressed concerns and have been … <p class="link-more"><a href="https://nickm.com/post/2023/01/advice-concerning-the-increase-in-ai-assisted-writing/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Advice Concerning the Increase in AI-Assisted Writing"</span></a></p>

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Show threadpersonJan 11, 2023
@nickmofo Thanks!
Show threadDoctor HistorianessJan 10, 2023
@nickmofo this is really helpful thank you! I've already been rethinking my fall semester writing assignments and am optimistic that I can construct assignments that won't do well with AI/LLM...
Show threadHenry Edward HardyJan 11, 2023

Using ChatGPT is definitely not necessarily "analogous to plagiarism."

The "correct" way to use ChatGPT in an academic environment is as an editor or as assistive technology, not a ghost writer.

Give Chat GPT a draft, it returns suggested changes, then have a dialog correcting any issues in the ChatGPT text to match your own understanding.

There is no mention of disability issues and AI as assistive technology. Why not?

How many hours have you spent using ChatGPT?

Needs work.

@nickmofo

Show threadJoseph ReagleJan 12, 2023
@nickmofo I’m also thinking of requiring that students have versioning on so I can see essays develop over time. I know GDoc has versioning, but does Word or Pages?
Show threadNick MontfortJan 12, 2023

@reagle I avoid proprietary software so I’m not sure; Nextcloud Notes, which I use to write in Markdown, does have versioning.

This is a fascinating idea for a few reasons. It is typical when you have pixel art entries in the #demoscene to show work in progress. It also seems like this peek into writing process could have pedagogical value.

Show threadJoseph ReagleJan 12, 2023
@nickmofo I have students do some assignments on HackMD, which has versioning, which occasionally reveals academic misconduct
Show threadilenJan 14, 2023

@nickmofo Thank you for sharing! I wish I’d had this two weeks ago to convince folks a policy was needed.

(We did ultimately land on “if you use ChatGPT you must cite it just as you would any other source” as our policy for the semester… we’ll see how it goes.)

Show threadMarco WinzkerJan 14, 2023
@nickmofo
Thanks for sharing