You may use AI to help study for an exam or write a paper, but is there an assignment that AI can’t do?
Artificial intelligence tools and large language models like ChatGPT or, Microsoft Copilot have become some of the most widely used technologies today, helping students and professionals across all fields in their everyday tasks. By typing in a prompt, almost any question can be answered in just a few seconds, eliminating the need to search for results on the internet or spend hours researching a topic.
When it comes to completing school assignments, AI can be a useful tool. Students have the answers to their assignments at their fingertips and can even have AI complete their entire assignments for them (with the issues of plagiarism permitting). Today, AI can give relatively accurate information on a wide range of topics, providing users the answers to questions ranging from “what does Einstein’s theory of relatively mean?” to “what is the weather in Bristol, Rhode Island today?” The possibilities to using AI in school are seemingly endless; but where do we draw the line on using AI for our assignments?
Since AI programs gather information from their training data and the internet, the responses generated by these programs can often be biased as they reflect only the information they are provided. Furthermore, these programs are computer/technology generated and do not have built-in emotions or reactions like we do as humans. These factors in the makeup of AI programs lead to issues when answering assignment questions that are specific to each person and reflect human emotions.
One example of an assignment where AI would not be useful, particularly in the field of architecture, is asking the program how it feels about a specific style of architecture or what it finds beautiful about architecture in general. When prompted “what type of architecture do you find the most beautiful,” ChatGPT’s response was “architecture, like any art form, is highly subjective… there are several architectural styles and characteristics that many people find captivating,” and listing different styles of architecture. The person entering the prompt can pick and choose from this response to write their own response to the question, but ChatGPT was unable to give one response to the question. Therefore, when answering subjective questions that are specific to each person, AI cannot generate a response without additional information about the person prompting the response.
AI can answer questions based on the large amount of information fed into the program, yet in order to answer opinion- or emotion-based questions, the program would need additional information to be inputted. These programs can help with assignments that ask about students’ own reactions or feelings on a topic, but the programs will not be able to write a full reply that is true to the person – AI is not a human and does not feel the same emotions as us.
While AI programs can be helpful for assignments in almost any class or subject, entering prompts and providing specific information for responses to be generated is most beneficial in getting the answers we want. Without us humans providing some information and inputting our emotional responses into the program, AI cannot make up specific human experiences… yet!
Credit:
Information in italics above was taken from the results of ChatGPT text when prompted “what type of architecture do you find the most beautiful.”
Results from ChatGPT prompt:
Architecture, like any art form, is highly subjective, and what one person finds beautiful, another may not. That being said, there are several architectural styles and characteristics that many people find captivating:
- Classical Architecture: The elegance and symmetry of classical architecture, with its columns, arches, and domes, have stood the test of time. Buildings like the Parthenon in Greece or the Pantheon in Rome are often admired for their timeless beauty.
- Gothic Architecture: The intricate details, soaring spires, and delicate tracery of Gothic cathedrals evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Structures like Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris or the Cologne Cathedral in Germany are prime examples of Gothic architecture.
- Art Nouveau: Characterized by its organic forms, flowing lines, and intricate ornamentation, Art Nouveau architecture is often considered graceful and whimsical. Buildings such as Casa Batlló in Barcelona or the Hôtel Tassel in Brussels showcase the beauty of this style.
- Modernism: The clean lines, geometric shapes, and emphasis on function over ornamentation in modernist architecture have a minimalist appeal to many. Architects like Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe contributed iconic buildings to this style, such as the Villa Savoye and the Barcelona Pavilion.
- Contemporary Architecture: Today’s architecture is incredibly diverse, with architects pushing boundaries and experimenting with new materials and forms. From avant-garde designs like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry to sustainable structures like the Bosco Verticale in Milan, contemporary architecture continues to inspire with its innovation.
Ultimately, the most beautiful architecture is often a matter of personal taste and can vary depending on cultural background, experiences, and individual preferences. What’s important is that architecture has the power to evoke emotion, inspire creativity, and shape the way we experience the built environment.