Pros and Cons of Generative AI in Assignment Writing
Generative AI in academia is becoming common in today’s world. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Jasper AI, and others can solve a math problem, create an assignment outline, or summarize a 1000-page book within a few seconds.
Yes, there are several benefits. But let’s look at the other side now. How beneficial is it for students?
Now students rely on these tools more than ever. And let’s be honest – they often overrely on them, which hinders their creativity.
So, is it okay to use AI tools for pupils? Is their creativity and ability to produce human-driven, engaging content at risk?
Let’s find out!
What is Generative AI in Academic Writing?
Generative AI is an artificial intelligence that allows users to ask questions to it and answer them as per the given prompt. In addition, it uses LLMs to analyze large amounts of data, determine patterns in words, and generate writing that mimics human intelligence using different writing styles.
Pros of Using Generative AI Tools in Assignment Writing
Get Inspiration/Fix Writer’s Block
The UAE students are always tied up with never-ending assignment deadlines, exams, and whatnot. Sometimes, they are asked to choose a topic of their own, structure the content, or follow the guidelines. This is when many of them just freeze. You can call it writer’s block or a lack of inspiration; you name it.
So, in such a situation, getting help from generative AI to get a push is a good idea. Share your writing guidelines, expectations, and use them to get relevant ideas.
Help With Diverse Subjects
Medicine, Engineering, Astrophysics, Law, Chartered Accountancy (CA), or any subject, you name it, you can get basic-level knowledge about them on AI tools.
Also, they are proficient in writing different types of academic tasks, such as essays, literature reviews, research papers, and coursework. Meaning everything at a single stop, unlike getting subject-specific assistance from assignment writers.
Summarizing Lengthy Work
Need a summary of a paper urgently? AI tools have got you covered. They can easily condense a large amount of work into a crisp and precise summary within a few seconds.
Furthermore, they can also provide an easier version of the text or convert written data into infographics or tables, making it understandable for users as per the given requirements.
Paraphrase Your Written Work
We all know that paraphrasing someone else’s work is cheating. But paraphrasing your own written content to make it well-structured and up to the mark can be done using generative AI tools (and it’s not cheating). In fact, it’s just the rearrangement of content.
Assist in Editing and Proofreading
One of the crucial steps in academic writing is editing and proofreading. But many pupils say that it is a time-consuming task.
Therefore, getting help with an AI tool can be beneficial. In addition, they can identify the errors in a writing, fix them, and perform all of it while considering the user’s given prompt. It also helps you enhance the writing style, tone, and structure to improve your writing.
Cons of Using Generative AI Tools in Assignment Writing
Lack of Original Research
Generative AI tools function as per the existing material that they have access to. They are not efficient enough to perform original research for your assignment.
Also, they often share made-up references or links when asked to share references to the information. Those links lead to a 404 error page.
High Risk of Plagiarism and AI
AI tools are designed to answer a query in a certain tone, use specific vocabulary, and overall, they also look robot-ish. Also, many UAE institutions forbid the use of these tools as it’s against their guidelines and strict policies.
Hence, there is a greater risk of AI and plagiarism when you use these tools for assignment writing.
Dying Creativity
Everything comes at a cost. And the cost of using AI tools in assignment writing is giving up on your creative skillset.
I remember how students used to look upon a topic through different angles, write in different tones and structures, and give their best shot before the evolution of AI tools.
But now, pupils get assistance from these tools for writing their entire academic tasks. And even if you get the best version of content after giving hundreds of prompts, would you be able to confidently call it YOUR assignment?
So, it’s best to connect with these tools, but only to seek HELP. Then add your creative mindset to the work and voila, you will ace it!
Lack of Quality Content
Academic assignments heavily rely on top-quality content. While AI is revolutionizing rapidly, it also doesn’t produce the best quality content. Yes, it might generate irrelevant, non-structured, or off-topic content.
So in such a situation, pupils have to connect with professional writing services for their suggestions because, alone, GPT cannot produce incredible content.
Extreme Reliance on Technology
The most important point that pupils today have forgotten is that assignments are given to help in learning. From performing research on the topic to writing, adding references, or editing the content, this whole process contributes to developing or polishing your skills.
Hence, overreliance on technology impacts a student’s ability to think critically and this stays with them forever.
Ethical Concerns and Bias
One of the criticisms of using AI tools in assignment writing is that they unintentionally use copyrighted data and contribute to the spread of misinformation. Also, they are trained to exhibit unfairness that leads to discriminatory or biased academic work.
Final Words
Generative AI speeds up assignment writing and sparks fresh ideas. It saves time but brings risks like wrong facts and weak originality. Students win big by mixing AI tools with their own checks and voice. Use it wisely to build real skills.
