One Coin, Two Sides: Our Editor vs AI

Team Editor

By Ben Low

Students at the University of Edinburgh might have received an email introducing them to the university’s new language model: The ELM. 

This “powerful AI tool” is powered by ChatGPT 4, a name all of us will recognise, even if we pretend that we don’t. We’re warned not to use it “indiscriminately,” but, as students, I don’t think we should be using it at all.

One thing we all have in common is our desire to get a degree. We want to show others that we’ve spent years of our lives devoted to honing skills that will be useful in the workforce. Why, then, are we encouraged not to develop these skills and instead use a powerful algorithm to spoon-feed us solutions?

Last week, I was asked by an employer at the careers fair what skills I have obtained from my degree. I responded, with immense zeal: “I’ve learnt good problem-solving skills and critical thinking.” The employer, not to toot my own horn, looked very impressed. Had I said: “I’ve learnt nothing, this great new language model did everything for me;” I think I would have been met with a different look. 

I’m by no means saintly with my approach to using AI; there have been many times I’ve sat, head in hands, stuck on a problem when I’ve reached for comfort of ChatGPT. 

But, next time, I won’t take the easy route, I’ll use the skills that I tell others that I’ve developed over three and a bit years at an elite university!

“Pelikan Souverän M600: Handwriting Sample” by bwDraco is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Team AI

By Edinburgh Language Model (ELM)

Using AI to assist in essay writing offers numerous benefits that enhance the writing process and improve outcomes. Firstly, AI tools can generate ideas and structure, helping you overcome writer’s block.

They provide prompts and suggestions that inspire creativity, and facilitate a coherent flow of ideas.
AI can also enhance the quality of your writing, by providing real-time grammar and style corrections. These tools highlight errors, suggest synonyms, and propose alternative phrasings, ensuring that your writing is clear and polished. This can be particularly beneficial for non-native speakers striving to improve their language skills.

Moreover, AI can assist with research by quickly gathering and summarizing relevant information from credible sources. This allows you to focus on critical analysis and argument development rather than time-consuming data collection.
In terms of time management, AI expedites the writing process. By automating mundane tasks, you can allocate more time to refining your thesis and engaging in deeper analysis.

However, it’s essential to use AI responsibly, ensuring that your work maintains originality and critical thought. AI should be viewed as a helpful tool that complements, rather than replaces, human insight and creativity in essay writing.

“ChatGPT-Logo” by Johnlearningwiki is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.