Artificial Intelligence: Readings and Resources
Quick Start
- The best, most reliable AI tools are the ones created by the major players in the field: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini (with non-MHC account), Microsoft Copilot.
- These big tools are general-purpose, and can be used for most goals. You can prompt them to roleplay with you, or submit files or text for them to summarize.
- Most AI tools require you to create an account.
- You can generally use the basic tools for free, but additional features can be unlocked if you choose to purchase a subscription.
- You may get different results from using the different tools, so we suggest you try multiple ones and see which best meet your goals.
Evaluating AI Tools: A Checklist
- Are you willing to subscribe to a paid service? LITS does not purchase AI subscriptions at this time. Review the terms of any grant before applying research funds.
- Have you read the Terms of Service? The Privacy Policy? (If the tool you’re considering doesn’t have a page where you can read the privacy policy, that’s a red flag.)
- Do you need to make a new account? If the service has a “sign in with Google” option, know what data you are giving them access to (it might be as much as the ability to send MHC e-mail on your behalf).
- What sources was the tool trained on, and how do the creators address copyright? Resources like the Foundation Model Transparency Index can help you understand where the data came from to create the tool.
- If you are going to use this tool in the classroom:
- Has this tool been vetted for accessibility? Does it meet the College’s accessibility requirements?
- Will students be able to use an anonymized account, or opt out if they have concerns about their data privacy?
- Is there robust help information available directly from the creators of the tool?
Using AI Fluently
Academic experts offer advice on ChatGPT | Inside Higher Ed - January 2023
Why All Our Classes Suddenly Became AI Classes | Harvard Business Publishing
The practical guide to using AI to do stuff
- Ethan Mollick has written a number of practical, technical posts on experimenting with AI use for automating work like presentations, and this one is a good entrypoint.
Education Department Issues Recommendations on AI | Inside Higher Ed - May 2023
- Last Updated: Oct 28, 2024 11:37 AM
- URL: https://guides.mtholyoke.edu/ai
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Subjects: How-To Guides