AI Could Become Valuable Tool at UD
Gracelin O’Malley | Contributing Writer
Artificial Intelligence use has been on the rise at the University of Dayton and that has led to increased discussion on AI’s place in the academic setting. The misuse of AI is hindering the goal of integrating it into UD.
As of now, the discussion is focused on AI potentially hindering the learning experience, leaving professors in a difficult position when it comes to regulating its use. Many educators said they struggle to find effective ways to maintain academic integrity while also embracing the benefits AI can offer. The challenge lies in striking a balance between leveraging AI as a learning tool and preventing it from becoming a crutch that diminishes critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
“Faculty feel stuck between a rock and a hard place because they don’t feel they have the tools to stop it (AI misuse) but feel its robbing their students of the exact educational experience,” Ryan Allen, director for the Center for Online Learning, told Flyer News.
There are indications that AI misuse has been steadily increasing alongside the rising popularity of services such as ChatGPT-4.0, Google Gemini Assistant, and Microsoft Copilot. As these tools become more accessible and sophisticated, students are finding it easier to rely on AI for academic tasks — sometimes at the expense of their own cognitive development.
Many students, faced with the pressure of balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities, turn to AI as a quick solution to complete assignments, essays, and even complex problem-solving tasks. While AI can serve as a valuable aid in the learning process, the growing dependence on these tools raises concerns about the long-term effects on critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning.
“The way it’s being used right now tends to hinder learning because at least in my classroom everything we do has a purpose, a learning purpose,” Chad Painter, Department of Communication chairman, said.
“The things you pay for is intimate access with experts teaching you specific ideas. Take advantage of that,” he said.
UD has introduced flyergpt.udayton.edu as a strategic initiative to integrate AI into academic and administrative environments while ensuring responsible and secure use. By offering a university-sanctioned AI tool, UD seeks to establish clear guidelines that promote ethical engagement with AI while reducing reliance on external, potentially unregulated services.
“There is some equity that comes with AI because you can pay for better AI,” said Rachel Yeager, director of Academic Affairs with the Student Government Association.
Additionally, FlyerGPT fosters equity by ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial background, have the same opportunities to leverage AI for educational and professional development. This approach not only enhances accessibility but also enables the university to monitor and guide AI use in ways that align with institutional values, academic standards, and long-term student success.
“It can help you be more of an independent learner,” Allen said.
AI can significantly enhance college learning by acting as an interactive tutor, and roleplaying scenarios to deepen understanding. AI can analyze course materials to create customized study guides, summarizing key concepts, highlighting essential topics, and organizing information into formats like outlines.
As a tutor, AI-powered tools provide instant explanations and make academic support available 24/7. These AI tutors can also adapt their responses to a student’s level of understanding and recommend additional resources for reinforcement. Additionally, AI can engage in roleplaying exercises, simulating real-world scenarios such as mock interviews, legal debates, or business negotiations, allowing students to develop practical skills and critical thinking.
REPORTER’S NOTE: “In this story, I used ChatGPT40 to help me create four additional interview questions on AI. When using GPT40, I fact-checked, had a human check my work, and made sure my work met the journalistic standards of accuracy and ethics. Using this AI tool allowed me to do more investigative questioning on the misuse of AI.”
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