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Work in Progress

AI technology has been developing rapidly, and undoubtedly information will change. We will attempt to keep this guide updated as the situation develops, but if you spot out-of-date information, please let us know by emailing Jennifer Lau-Bond, Coordinator of Library Instruction.

New AI technology ChatGPT Raising Questions About Human Creativity

Introduction

About this guide

Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that uses machine learning systems to generate text, images, code and other types of content, usually in response to a prompt that has been entered. Generative (AI) tools can be used in many ways in study, research and teaching including to summarise, create, refine, test, inspire or revise.  

QUT has developed guiding principles on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Assessment to be found on our Digital Workplace as well as a Position statement on the responsible use of generative AI tools in research

QUT Library has also curated a Student focused guide on  Using generative AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence

Traditional AI is the ability of computers or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligence. Basically, if a human did it, it would be classified as intelligent. Think playing chess or analysis, spotting patterns and making predictions based on huge amounts of data. 

Advancements in AI have led to generative AI or GenAI, where systems using machine learning have been trained using large amounts of data to perform, mimic or imitate tasks. This technology essentially tries to reproduce human behaviour and create new content based on what has been done before, much like predictive text on your phone.

GenAI tools are evolving incredibly quickly and their impact on education and research is significant and ongoing. It has the potential to support any area of study, from creative arts to law or business development. 

There are many different types of GenAI that can create music, art, video, text, code, equations or even a blend of these. The flexibility of these tools provides new ways to create content, explore ideas or synthesise information.  

There are important ethical factors to consider when using generative AI. We explore some of these in this guide.    

Being able to responsibly and ethically use generative AI is dependent on your critical evaluation skills, much like when you evaluate the results from a Google search or academic database. It can be difficult to distinguish between content created by a human and what has been generated by the model. This means critical thinking skills are essential to evaluate the authenticity and accuracy of what has been generated.


Key Considerations 

Generative AI is a rapidly evolving technology that impacts the way we create content and solve problems. If you are using these tools, it is important to think critically and evaluate the reliability, accuracy and context of the content generated.

Acknowledgement

Crediting creators and attributing content is a core part of both academic integrity and of being a digital citizen more broadly. This guide was created by QUT Library based on and using parts of Teaching and ChatGPT Harper College Library and Using generative AI by Deakin University 2023 and licensed under CC BY NC 4.0.

Feedback and Comments

If you have any feedback or comments about the guide, or something you think should be added, let us know! We'd love to hear from you. 

Please email us and we will respond when able. 

Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Generative AI