Every January 24, the world celebrates International Education Day as a momentum to reflect on the importance of education in driving the progress of global society. This year, the big theme is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, a topic that is relevant in the midst of rapid technological development. One interesting aspect is how students utilize AI in the creation of scientific papers, which is now an integral part of their academic life.
Tantri Annisa Hanjani, M.I.Kom., a Communication Science lecturer at Universitas Padjadjaran, revealed that AI has provided tremendous convenience for students, especially in terms of research and writing scientific papers. However, this convenience does not come without challenges. There are concerns that students tend to rely on AI without understanding the substance of what they are writing. “…such as the potential for plagiarism and can reduce students’ critical thinking due to dependence…” Tantri said.
Not only Tantri, S. Kunto Adi Wibowo, P.hd, the head of the Communication Science Study Program at Universitas Padjadjaran, gave his views on ethics in the use of AI. According to him, ethics in academia is seen as a way to achieve goals. If AI is used to speed up work, but the results have no substance that leads to universal academic goals, then it is unethical. “Although there is no element of plagiarism, there are steps that are skipped. In the end, the AI user only knows the result, not the process.” Kunto concluded.
Despite its many benefits, the use of AI in education still poses an ethical dilemma. Agreeing with Kunto, Tantri revealed that AI is often biased, although there are references provided, sometimes these references are inaccessible, even fictitious. As students and academics, of course, we must be more critical in responding to this.
For Kunto and Tantri, the use of AI in making papers, theses, or assignments is not recommended. Excessive use of AI makes students’ critical thinking dull. However, if AI is used to help structure knowledge, help technical coding so that it is systematic or easy, it is allowed. In the end, the ethical and unethical use of AI depends on the purpose of the user.
On this International Education Day, Kunto and Tantri gave a message for Communication Science students to continue to develop all the potential that exists. Education is very broad, so students are expected to continue to explore all domains that are relevant to the existing science.
Happy International Education Day, Yellow Fellow! (Ed).