Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise the way students' coursework is written, but academics have called for greater controls to stop widespread cheating.
With the use of AI, students and researchers could potentially save time and effort by allowing the technology to assist with the creation of written assignments.
Another potential application of AI in academic writing is through the use of machine-learning algorithms.
There needs to be an institutional policy in place for this and some education for students that this use of AI in this way is unacceptable
Dr Athol Yates,
Khalifa University
These algorithms can be trained on a large data set of academic papers and articles, learning the characteristics and patterns of successful writing.
Speaking at a Khalifa University workshop with lecturers on how to detect the use of ChatGPT, a text-generating AI software launched by US company OpenAI in November, Dr Athol Yates warned against its use by students.
“This is definitely already being used around the world, as students are tech savvy,” said Dr Yates, an associate professor of humanities and social science at Khalifa University.
“It is easy to use, so if they are late for an assignment it is a simple option. It has the potential to turn us more into classroom police.
“There is a need for all educational institutions to have institutional policy in place for this and some education for students that this use of AI in this way is unacceptable.”
More than one million users
The technology has been created by OpenAI, a San Francisco based tech-firm co-founded by Elon Musk and valued at around $29 million, according to financial reports.
On December 4, just four days after its launch, ChatGPT had more than a million users.
Schools in New York City have already moved to ban the technology across the district, but some schools will still be allowed to access the technology to aid their education.
There are AI tools specifically designed for academic writing, such as citation management software.
These tools can help students organise their sources and automatically generate citations and references in the correct formatting style.
While AI has the potential to be a valuable tool in the academic writing process, academics said it should not be used as a replacement for human effort and critical thinking.
Ultimately, the goal of using AI in academic writing should be to assist and enhance the writing process, rather than to fully automate it, they said.
“It provides good quality formulaic responses, which is what we are trying to teach,” said Dr Yates
“It is perfect and uses natural language, so it is difficult to spot.
“The lack of references is an issue, but there are ways to get around this.
“Students don’t have to submit an entire response. It can be reworked and, hey presto, you have a piece of work — we need to decide if that is acceptable as we have no policy at the moment on this.”
Risk of cyber attacks
There is a risk that AI could be used for malicious purposes, such as cyber attacks or the spread of false information.
As AI systems become more advanced, they could potentially be used to automate and amplify these activities, causing significant harm to individuals and society as a whole.
Finally, the widespread adoption of AI could lead to significant job displacement, as many tasks currently performed by humans are automated.
This could result in widespread unemployment and economic disruption, and it will be important for governments and businesses to address this issue and ensure that those affected are protected.
Overall, while AI has the potential to bring about many benefits, it is important that careful consideration is given to address the potential dangers it poses.
This will require ongoing research and collaboration between researchers, policymakers and industry professionals to ensure that the development and use of AI is responsible and ethical.
“If I was going to use ChatGPT, I would benefit from seeing the flow of ideas that it generates,” said Amira Al Aamri, a research scientist at Khalifa University.
“Often, we don’t know where to start when writing, so these tools can help with that.
“I am not saying it should never be used, as there are benefits, but the outcomes should not be copied and pasted.
“I would want to see the process students have gone through to generate their work and this does not allow for that. That means more work for the student.
“When the software develops to produce references, it will be a game changer.”
This story was created was generated with ChatGPT
This story has largely been created using ChatGPT. We entered 'write a news article on the dangers of artificial intelligence in the command box' and ChatGPT created a 400-word story in seconds.
We added quotes from experts at Khalifa University who gave a presentation on the power of ChatGPT and its potential uses.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20EPD%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A%20MAN%20FROM%20MOTIHARI
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Khan%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPenguin%20Random%20House%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E304%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Secret%20Kingdom%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Drummond%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlyla%20Browne%2C%20Alice%20Parkinson%2C%20Sam%20Everingham%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mobile phone packages comparison
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
