Rise of chatbots forces rethink of learning, assessment

But that won't let students off the hook.

"We can expect more," associate professor Sam Kirshner from the University of NSW Business School told an online forum.

He plans to introduce new technology to his first-year business analytics class in a few weeks, partly to show why he's still relevant as a teacher and because the future analysts in his classes will need to use all tools.

Academic integrity expert Cath Ellis said many people are saying the proliferation of chatbots will spell the death of the essay.

"I don't think it is. But do we really need to use essays as much as we do?"

For example, future nurses or optometrists were unlikely to need to write an essay when working in the professional world, Professor Ellis said.

Deciding whether a student passes or fails would need to look beyond how well written an essay might be and become more about what they understand, she said.

UNSW experts speaking on Tuesday are among many teachers, researchers and businesses figuring out the implications of language processing tools such as ChatGPT that use AI technology.

The tools could be rolled out as students become more advanced, similar to the "pen licence" given to youngsters who conquer the pencil for writing, or calculators used by students who master the basics of maths.

Chatbots can be also be used as a tutor that never gets cross or tired.

Engineering professor Toby Walsh said he had a colleague who wanted to learn Python computer programming, and spent a day asking question after question to the infinitely patient computer assistant who could help her understand.

"She said it was a real accelerator to have that personal tutor - you didn't have to be embarrassed about asking questions," he said.

Professor Walsh warned the tools will sometimes tell us things that are wrong or offensive, since their learning is drawn from the internet.

"But they don't really understand what they're talking about ... they say what's probable," he said.

Yet the tools remain a big step up from keyword searches or instant resumes, with the ability to generate complex essays, computer coding, financial advice and disaster alerts.

Microsoft is extending its multi-billion dollar ties with tech firm OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, as the technology phenomenon takes hold.

A similar tool will be launched in China in March by search engine giant Baidu.

Mr Kirshner said the issue goes beyond cheating and noted technology continues to permeate education, making textbooks redundant and allowing more learning online via YouTube or formal lectures.

"It's time to start experimenting with different methods of education," he said.

Australian Associated Press