Messiah or Monster: ChatGPT in Academia

                                      

 By Aphelele Xulu and Pravina Laljeeth

The perfect hack! Well almost! The Chatbot can do miracles! At least for students and learners in the classroom. No kidding! ChatGPT has been trained to harvest relevant data from the vast internet, datasets, websites, ebooks, scientific publications, scholarly databases, and social media, allowing it to analyse, calculate, synthesize, and collate language-generated diction that is coherent, contextually relevant, and often resemblant to the text produced by humans.   

ZDNet states that the AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot model ChatGPT is a conversational language model developed by OpenAI, based on the Transformer architecture and programmed on extensive amounts of text data that generate human-like responses, output, and solutions. The real game-changer!

The language model has been trained to receive data on an input prompt and output conversational data that is grammatically correct, much like having a conversation with humans. ChatGPT is trained to augment and generate rational responses that are syntax and semantically correct. It can decode, deconstruct, merge, synthesize, and generate results such as computer codes, webpages, essays, emails, songs, and stories in seconds. The intelligence model can manipulate texts from datasets and long sentence algorithms to generate paraphrasing at its finest.

According to Entrepreneur, ChatGPT is a transformer-based neural network that provides answers and data with human writing patterns. The AI model has been programmed with a limitless amount of text data to interpret and contextualize relevancy and generate human-like responses to questions. A neural network is a method in artificial intelligence that instructs computers to process data in a way that is inspired by the human brain. It is a type of machine learning process called deep learning that uses interconnected nodes or neurons in a layered structure that resembles the human brain. ChatGPT multitasks. The portal has more than one language function, so it can simultaneously juggle translation, summarize and answer questions, streaming longer, seamless conversations.

ChatGPT can generate intelligible and comprehensible text, allowing it to communicate in longer dialogues, conveyance prompts, and solution-driven transmission. The model has been trained on an immense amount of conversational data, and has learned how to analyse and generate grammatically correct text, uses appropriate vocabulary and tone, and is coherent with the input prompt and the overall conversation mechanism. ChatGPT, like other bot technologies, works well in mechanical, technical, and e-commerce settings but cannot transmute humans' critical thinking, cognitive and intellectual domains. It is not flawless and can deliver confined results.

 

A no-brainer, it will short-circuit solutions in almost every sphere and promises to pilot the shift in the cognitive trajectory of future generations. Organic, logical, and intellectual capacity suddenly looms as an endangered species. The concern must be focused on school-going children, learners, and students where this type of technology will progressively abate their natal cerebral compass, natural intrinsic trial and error to discovery logic, explorative and experimental gateways to new and undiscovered frontiers, reasoning capacity and problem-solving skills. ChatGPT will constrain inherent and intrinsic critical and analytical thinking.

 

Higher education institutions have questioned the effects ChatGPT will have on teaching and learning, curricula, research, scientific output quality, and academic integrity. ChatGPT is regarded as disruptive technology as it can be prompted to write an entire essay and acknowledge sources to reference from its knowledge base. To mitigate academic integrity, unpacking the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats must be examined by academia. This may lead to higher education policies and protocols regarding the use of ChatGPT. Further, the assessments policy must be revisited and reworked into curricula that may include oral assessments. In the future, AI tools may serve as research assistants, conducting virtual experiments, analysing data, copywriting and editing text, and generating citations.

ChatGPT can affect teachers, students, and researchers' innate academic excellence potential and can condition academia from producing authentic honest investigation, research output and diction to mediocrity.

Inherently, in academic libraries, there comes the ChatGPT dashboard. Chatbots are already used in many higher education institutions and academic libraries, offering 24/7 reference query-related assistance linked to library databases, resources, and discovery tools. Notably, advanced ChatGPT combined with advanced data extraction programs such as Covidence, Grammarly, and Endnote may produce a masterpiece that mimics human excellence in creating a document. Will Librarian's roles be redefined by ChatGPT? Will overall academia gradually become enslaved by the duality of AI and human intelligence? Is ChatGPT a paradox to human consciousness? Will man once again become Pavlovian, classically conditioned to new disruptive technologies? Is this the new paradigm shift of learning and discovery? Or have we become so clouded in the 5^th industrial revolution with the rapid pace and expansion of AI technology that we are missing the master plan of monetizing disruptive technologies such as ChatGPT as a trade-off for human consciousness?

 

References:

1.     Open AI:  https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

2.     ChatGPT: What Is It and How Does It Work?: 

https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/chatgpt-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/445014

3.     What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? Here's what you need to know: https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-does-it-matter-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/

4.     Embrace it or reject it? Academics disagree about ChatGPT: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230207160059558

T

SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY WEEK

 

By
Claudette Kercival

In keeping with the theme of “Libraries: telling powerful stories”, Howard College Libraries found this the perfect opportunity to showcase some of its home-grown talent and success stories.

This year the 20th -26th of March, marked South African Library Week and to commemorate this event, a programme entitled “Stories from our Own”, was put together and hosted at the EG Malherbe Library, Conference Room on the 23rd of March.

The programme comprised of an enlightening topical presentation and discussion hosted by Mr Mfezi Mjwara who spoke and engaged the audience about Cyber-crime and Cyberbullying.  Mr Mjwara had the audience captivated by his interesting and anecdotal talk sharing in his experiences which piqued the interests of the attending students and staff.  Mr Mjwara, one of our Own, is an intern based at the EGM Library and shows a keen interest in all library activities including being ever readily available to help our students.

Another of our Own, our keynote speaker, Dr. Sanele Justice Gamede rendered a riveting account of his life experiences, choices and success as a student at UKZN and now accomplished author and entrepreneur.  Dr Gamede’s talk was indeed very inspiring and encouraging with his motto being “It’s possible because it’s doable”.  Dr Gamede stressed that students should not let their past dictate their futures and should not be discouraged by the many challenges they face today. Dr. Gamede’s many vivid recollections of how he overcame and dealt with various challenges served as a perfect example to students that despite the many shortcomings and setbacks you will triumph.

Dr Gamede’s close affiliation with the library through his years at UKZN, has come full circle with his many publications which serve to guide students through their university careers.

A welcome address and a vote of thanks was delivered by Principal Librarian, Mr Omesh Jagarnath.

 

Howard College Libraries also viewed this time as a befitting chance, in the form of a book display, to shine the spotlight on some of our prolific South African authors who, have for many years, kept us wrapped in the throes of their wonderful storytelling.

 

UKZN Library are indeed grateful to our presenters and participants for
making this event a success. A special thank you to our sponsors Sabinet for their donation of booklets and pens.

 

“May all libraries continue to create the impetus for sharing and telling powerful stories!”

STAFF, STUDENTS and GUESTS MAKING MEMORIES

”CELEBRATE HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH WITH UKZN LIBRARIES”

                                                             By Mfezi Mjwara

March is Human Rights month and 21 March is Human Rights day. There are several measures and initiatives which are utilized world-wide aimed at mitigating Human Rights violation. A very strong stand is taken on a daily basis across the African continent to fight against human rights violation and gender based violence.

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is one example of an initiative focused at strengthening the fight against gender-based violence of which is a national crisis in South Africa.

Human Rights definition-“Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and to develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination. Human rights can broadly be defined as a number of basic rights that people from around the world have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the rights to health, education and an adequate standard of living” (Australian Human Rights Comminssion, 2023).    

Gender-based violence- According to Mile (Mile, 2023), gender-based violence is directed at an individual based on his or her biological sex or gender identity. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, and economic or educational deprivation, whether occurring in public or private life.” Although GBV can occur towards any gender, Violence Against Women (VAW) by men has been, and remains the most prevalent form of GBV, especially in South Africa.

The University of KwaZulu Natal ensures that all students and employees are able to enjoy their rights and there is less gender-based violence in the institution. This is because a special prominence which includes gender-based violence awareness and action campaigns are exercised for the purpose of mitigating GBV in UKZN throughout the whole year. Again, the University of KwaZulu Natal Libraries is not only about books but also continues to emphasize the important role of gender equality by providing a series of GBV programs, Human Rights library displays & GBV awareness blogs for students and staff.  There are programs offered in the institution which assist in maintaining risks pertaining gender-based violence whilst at work, such programs are streamed online for example (Code of Good Practice on the prevention & elimination of harassment in the workplace by Adv. Pushpa Naidu).

UKZN also has a legal services department that caters for legal support to the University in contracts management, litigation management, copyright management, student discipline management, gender-based violence, human rights violation matters, protection from legal risk, and the provision of general legal advice to University Management.

 USEFUL LINKS TO FURTHER READING

Archives and human rights - https://ukzn.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1224044165

UKZN Gender based violence awareness and prevention programs -https://ukzn.ac.za/gender-based-violence-awareness-and-prevention-programmes/

UKZN Legal Services - https://legalservices.ukzn.ac.za/

Culture, citizenship and human rights - https://ukzn.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1125276387

Patriarchy at the helm of gender-based violence during COVID-19 - 10.3934/publichealth.2021003

Gender-based violence and environment linkages - https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.03.en

Forced marriages in Europe: a form of gender-based violence and violation of human rights - 10.17561/tahrj.v14.5474

UKZN Gender based violence speak-up - https://www.ukzn.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GBV.pdf

Gender based violence: a South African plague - 10.13140/RG.2.2.13157.42724

 

REFERENCES

 

Australian Human Rights Comminssion. (2023). An Introduction to Human Rights. Retrieved 27 February from https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/introduction-human-rights

Mile, K. (2023). Gender Based Violence: A South African Plague. ResearchGate. Retrieved 27 February fromhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/344748162_Gender_Based_Violence_A_South_African_Plague

 

 

South African Library Week at the UKZN Pmb Library, 2023

 

                                                                             

By Jillian Viljoen

In collaboration with the Pmb subject librarians.

All photos taken by Renee Damonse. Thanks Renee!

South African Library Week (SALW) is celebrated every year in March. It highlights the valuable role of libraries, librarians and all library staff in communities. Libraries can have a life changing effect on individuals in various ways. The theme of SALW this year was “Libraries: telling powerful stories”.

Professor Ruth Hoskins receiving her gift

When you think of a story, what comes to mind? An imaginary tale? A recounting of an event involving certain individuals? Listening to a senior family member reminisce about past events? Stories can be powerful tools to teach life lessons or to emphasise or highlight pertinent points.

 At the Pmb Library, Professor Ruth Hoskins, the Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College of Humanities, expanded on the theme by explaining the history of the UKZN Pmb Library and the value of all library resources. She gave a brief account of her studies towards becoming a librarian and how that experience became a foundation for future career choices. An interesting and inspiring account of events.

                                                        

Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo with the students. 

Can you identify Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo in the crowd? 

She looks like one of the students.

Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, the Director of Library Services, engaged the students on the history of libraries and encouraged them to provide their views on the challenges of libraries over the years, the way the digital age has changed the way libraries provided a service and the role of libraries on the whole. The feedback was phenomenal. The students displayed a genuine understanding of the role of libraries and there were positive reviews on the staff and aesthetics inside the buildings. Thanks to the staff for flying a positive flag high for the library. Your efforts have paid off and are being noticed. 

               

Professor Mbongeni Malaba, from the School of Arts, provided an enlightening background on the establishment of the Centre for African Literary Studies (CALS) on the Pmb campus, as he was the curator at the centre for eighteen months. This centre has a valuable collection of literature of African authors. This continent has a wealth of literature

In the centre:
Professor Mbongeni Malaba
and Mr Wiseman Masango

and authors and these rare and unique collections have been sourced by Professor Bernth Lindfors, resulting in the establishment of CALS.  Professor Lindfors is a professor emeritus of English and African literatures. He is the author of a number of books on African literature and folklore. He still sends boxes of books and manuscripts which he discovers to CALS for documenting. Mr Wiseman Masango is the custodian of this special collection and he highlighted some of the popular authors. He mentioned that many researchers from the United States and other countries visited the centre to study the collections which are in many languages. That centre certainly is a gem at UKZN.      

L-R: Ms Sqedile Mbambo and Ms Noxolo Mthethwa 

Ms Sqedile Mbambo and Ms Noxolo Mthethwa highlighted the history and varied collections of books which the UKZN Press publishes. They include different subjects and range from poetry to novels, to children’s stories, to factual content. What a variety of publications by this small publishing house. Dynamite really does come in small packages. Of interest to the postgraduate students was the option of publishing their completed PhD theses as books. The criteria and processes was explained to them and their questions indicated that this option was a welcome alternative for future consideration.    

   

L-R: Ms Edista Ngubane and Ms Slindokuhle Ndlovu

Ms Mariam Jassat from the Humanities Student Counselling Support Services, and Ms Edista Ngubane

and Ms Slindokuhle Ndlovu from the Humanities Career Development Office, reminded students that they are not alone on this academic journey. If they have any academic, personal or psychological challenges, help is available. The Student Counselling Support Services are free and qualified psychologists are on hand to guide you through each challenge. We all need a helping hand once in a while. There are Career Development Offices in each College. They provide assistance with creating CV’s, writing covering letters, job interviews, deciding on a career, assisting you to get part-time and full time employment and so much more. The staff are there to help you achieve your career goals. What a wonderful service!

    L-R: Mr Dhirshan Gobind
and Mr Sphamandla Gwamanda

Mr Sphamandla Gwamanda and Mr Dhirshan Gobind, from the Disability Support Unit, outlined their services for students with various disabilities. They also explained the processes involved with assisting visually impaired students to get access to information in a format which they can read. They have various assistive devices like wheelchairs, etc. For students to get assistance from the Disability Support Unit, they need to indicate the disability which they have and what assistance they require. Some students may not want to disclose their disabilities but there is always the risk of the disabilities hindering their progress or they may not be adequately accommodated in lectures, pracs, tests and exams, especially if they require extra time to complete tasks due to their disabilities. Use this free assistance because it’s specifically designed for you.

                                                      

On either side of the poster:
Mr Golide Ndlela and his colleague.

Mr Golide Ndlela from SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) gave an impactful account of how the abuse of alcohol and drugs has a detrimental effect on the organs in your body,

especially your brain functions. His visual aids clearly portrayed the organ damage which we are not aware of when we look at ourselves on the outside. His detailed explanation of the degeneration and the fact that the damage cannot be reversed or repaired in most instances was alarming. This talk was eye opening but also sad because we all either have loved ones or know people with substance abuse challenges and the reality of the serious health risks were driven home. Food for thought.

Asathi receiving his gift from a student 

Asathi, from the Golden Key Society, was a last-minute addition to the programme. He had requested the opportunity to set up a table in the library to speak to students about the Society after seeing the South African Library Week programme of speakers advertised on the University Notices. He was given an opportunity to address the students formally, like the other speakers, and his session was well attended. Students were delighted to hear about the benefits of being chosen to be part of this international society and were impressed by the charity work that they engaged in. Asathi clearly enjoyed what he did and his enthusiasm was infectious. There certainly was a lot of excitement after his talk.

               

Photos taken in the Research Commons

Attendees at the talks

             

On the left:
One of the competition winners.

Pens were given to all attendees at each talk. Needless to say, there were many familiar faces by the end of the week. Guess how many pens they collected. There was a competition based on the library training sessions. There were 5 lucky prize winners. With so many entries with correct answers, it was disappointing that it had to be narrowed down to 5. Everyone was a winner because they learnt something new.

 

The interactions and discussions during the talks were lively and cordial. Students were free to express their opinions, views and to ask questions. How often are students encouraged to have high-spirited discussions in the library? This was one time when they weren’t shushed and they made the most of it.

What an amazing diversity of speakers and interesting discussions! The library was a platform to highlight various stories. Student engagement was fruitful. All in all, it was a wonderful celebration of South African Library Week amidst the online library training sessions. Talk about multi-tasking.