Vanderbilt University faculty apologized after utilizing Open AI’s ChatGPT to write an email to students reflecting on the unfortunate Michigan State University shooting.
The original email was sent out on Thursday, Feb. 16, and included the text, “Para from Open AI’s ChatGPT.”
ChatGPT, or Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is an OpenAI chatbot. It uses artificial intelligence to simulate human conversation. It can produce essays, poems, computer programs, and answer questions.
Nicole M. Joseph, the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, apologized in a follow-up email on Friday, Feb. 17, for using ChatGPT for this type of correspondence.
Camilla P. Benbow, Patricia, and Rodes Hart, Dean of Education and Human Development, issued a statement in response to this incident.
“The development and distribution of the initial email did not follow Peabody’s normal processes providing for multiple layers of review before being sent,” said Benbow. “The university’s administrators, including myself, were unaware of the email before it was sent.”
Benbow said her office would look into why ChatbotGPT was used to write the email in the first place.
“During the review, Associate Dean Joseph and Assistant Dean Hasina Mohyuddin will step back from their responsibilities with the EDI office,” said Benbow.
“In the interim, please contact Professor Duane Watson for assistance.”