Large Language Model (LLM) AIs, or more properly their chat versions, such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, or Claude 2 are designed to simulate human typed-text conversation. They are computer programs that, in addition to code written by software engineers and developers, have been trained on large quantities of (mostly) human-generated text. Much of this is the open internet, but other sources have been added to the training corpus as well. Versions have been in development for years, but LLM AIs emerged into broader public attention in late 2022, when the firm OpenAI made available, for free use by anyone on the internet, ChatGPT, which was powered by the GPT-3 LLM.
Since November 2022, Generative AIs and particularly AIs powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) have developed rapidly. In the Center for Online Learning and Innovation we have observed these changes in our testing, and have listened to colleagues at Canisius University and across higher education and K-12 as they developed ideas, methods, and frameworks for understanding LLM AIs.
Here are COLI’s working notes on the relationship between LLM AIs and college-level pedagogy. Our recommendations are necessarily tentative and subject to change as those in various fields better understand AI operation, and AIs develop or improve capabilities.
Contents
AIS AND UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS: IMPLICATIONS
METHODS FOR AIS WITHIN COURSEWORK