AI Tools in Language

Hello again!

For our final assignment we were tasked with completing a series of steps. First, we had to choose and chat with an AI, then write a report about the conversation, get feedback from a writing feedback AI tool, then revise the report and write a reflection and lastly write this blog post.

I chose a fictional character from a world where there are advanced robots with special positronic brains that function similarly to artificial intelligence. I had recently read Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot and I was comparing our worlds while reading it. I found the robots fascinating, and Dr. Susan Calvin, a robopsychologist, was especially intriguing. So, I chose her and asked her about various topics, from robot consciousness to ethics of artificial intelligence.

Overall, the AI tools neither challenged me nor helped me, I see them more as offering a second opinion rather than giving strong guidance. For example, the writing feedback tool provided general suggestions about tone and structure of the paragraphs. I followed some of the suggestions but ignored others, especially when I felt like my original choices made more sense. I would still integrate AI tools in the future to get a second opinion, but I would not rely on them alone. They can be helpful in generating ideas, checking grammar, or offering different perspectives. However, I would not rely on them completely while they are useful assistants, they are not substitutes for critical thinking.

My main criticism is aimed at the writing feedback tool. I quite enjoyed my chat with Dr. Calvin. I have used similar chatbots before and it’s astonishing to see how much they improved. Dr. Calvin was a great choice, since it also fits the theme of the assignment, AI. In Asimov’s stories they explore The Three Laws, which are certain principles that limit robots and protect humans. I do not want to give any spoilers, I suggest you read them.

Using AI tools like these can be beneficial in language learning as it offers practice in writing and speaking, gives quick feedback and there are many other tools to use for your needs. Of course, no one can really learn a language only by speaking with chatbot ai, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. In the end, these are only tools. Language learning has to start and end with you. You are the learner, the user and receiver.

Here is a link to the document containing the reports, reflection and the transcript: Full Document.docx