ChatGPT gets banned for New York students and teachers, here’s why – Times of India

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that was released in 2021 by San Francisco-based AI company OpenAI. The chatbot has recently gone viral as it supports an open-access user interface and can answer questions in human-like language. This tool can scrape data from the internet to discuss a wide range of topics and can also show linguistic tricks by adapting writing styles of different styles and genres. However, this open-to-all chatbot has been banned by the New York City Department of Education. This US city has blocked access to ChatGPT on its networks and devices. Teachers and students in New York will be unable to open the tool on school or college devices. The education board is concerned that the AI tool will harm students’ education.
Why the New York City Department of Education is concerned about ChatGPT
According to a report by Chalkbeat New York, a spokesperson for the department, Jenna Lyle, has discussed the potential negative impacts of ChatGPT on student learning. She also added that the department is also concerned regarding the safety and accuracy of the content.
Lyle mentioned that even if ChatGPT can offer quick and easy answers to questions but it does not build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” She added that these are “essential for academic and lifelong success.”

Drawbacks of ChatGPT
Just like any other recent AI language systems (known as large language models, or LLMs), ChatGPT also suffers from some common drawbacks. As the chatbot is trained to scrape data from the internet, it tends to repeat and amplify prejudices like sexism and racism in its answers. This tool is also criticised for making up information and presenting it as authentic fact.
All these issues are a major concern for educators. Multiple teachers have claimed that this tool makes it impossible to test students’ ability to write essays at home. Some online platforms have also banned ChatGPT as they are concerned that the tool will pollute the accuracy of their sites.