Ever since the creation of ChatGPT, it has been a tool inseparable from education in public perception, leaving a reputation of being a tool often in violation of academic integrity. I believe that despite the unfortunate validity of this common sentiment, there is a multitude of ways ChatGPT can be used in education to ameliorate the quality of scholastic work without contravening academic integrity.

As an AI tool, ChatGPT possesses an invaluable ability to extract information from the internet despite only being able to access data from 2021. Although this ability can easily be abused to write essays or complete homework assignments, it can also be utilized to generate ideas for projects or any other type of assignment that offers creative freedom. For example, when perplexed by what research topic you want to write about, ChatGPT can quickly brainstorm various ideas based on what people have searched the most on the internet for. This allows more knowledge and understanding of what people want to hear and read about, which can produce more interesting topics of discussion. This nuanced ability can further be enhanced by an AI’s ability to understand and learn from the needs of the user, which ultimately creates an interactive way to consult an AI for more personalized responses on any topic.

In a similar vein, ChatGPT enables more sophisticated and complex writing, which can greatly improve writing abilities. Just as Google is able to create synonyms for words, ChatGPT possesses the same feature with the added bonus of being able to provide a personalized response. When dissatisfied with synonyms generated, for example, it is possible to ask for more options or responses in a different direction. This ability is simply an enhanced version of Google, and thus, does not constitute a breach of academic integrity. By being able to access a tool that can comprehend personal concerns or interests, ChatGPT can easily strengthen writing without violating academic integrity.

Because it is understandable that teachers will automatically object to the use of AI, being open about the specific use of ChatGPT is the only method to ensure the utilization of AI doesn’t violate academic integrity.

I believe that while there are existent methods of using ChatGPT to reinforce academic works that do not go against the traditional definition of academic integrity, if a teacher objects to its use, then I would consider it an infraction of academic integrity.