New York City Public Schools Prohibit the Use of OpenAI's ChatGPT

On Tuesday, New York City public schools implemented a ban on ChatGPT for school devices and WiFi networks. Since its release by OpenAI in November, this AI-powered chatbot has rapidly gained popularity, sparking concerns among educators and organizations. The main worry is that students might undermine their learning by cheating on tests and submitting essays they did not write.

ChatGPT, short for "generative pre-trained transformer," showcases the dual nature of AI's capabilities. Similar to AI art applications like OpenAI's DALL-E 2, it can efficiently answer factual questions and generate essays that often resemble human writing. As AI technology advances, distinguishing between AI-generated and human-produced content will only become more challenging.

“While the tool can provide quick answers, it does not foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for academic and lifelong success,” said Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for New York City public schools. Nevertheless, enforcing the ban may prove difficult. While blocking the chatbot on school networks and devices is feasible, students can still access it using personal devices on cellular networks or non-school WiFi.

OpenAI is working on strategies to help identify text generated by ChatGPT. Though this initiative is promising, skepticism remains about the motivation of major corporations when societal interests and profits collide. AI is big business; OpenAI is reportedly in discussions to sell shares at a $29 billion valuation, positioning it among the most valuable startups in the U.S.

However, some educators see potential benefits in the AI chatbot. Adam Stevens, a teacher at Brooklyn Tech, likens ChatGPT to early fears surrounding search engines like Google. "People voiced similar concerns about students finding answers online 15 or 20 years ago," he noted. He believes ChatGPT could serve as a valuable resource, providing a baseline essay that students can collaboratively enhance.

Stevens emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to "explore things worth knowing," moving beyond rigid assessment metrics. “We’ve trained a whole generation of kids to chase rubric points instead of knowledge,” he explains. “If the goal is merely to achieve a grade, then ChatGPT poses a real threat.”

Regardless of how schools decide to manage AI tools, their presence is undeniable. Without significant government regulation—an unlikely scenario given the current legislative landscape—AI-generated content, including answers, essays, and artistic works, is here to stay. The true challenges will emerge as society navigates the broader implications of automation on employment and learning.