Is Using ChatGPT in College a Danger for Students?

For many, GPT Chat is an opportunity to support learning, but for many, it is a threat to academic integrity. So what do students need to know to distinguish the line between knowledge testing and cheating?

Sử dụng ChatGPT ở đại học có phải mối nguy hại của sinh viên? - 1 — Educators recommend that AI should be used as a support tool, not a replacement for learning (Photo: Maskot/Getty Images).

For many students, Chat GPT has become as familiar as a textbook or a pocket calculator. From grammar correction, to organizing study materials, to creating flashcards, AI is gradually becoming an indispensable “companion” in university life.

But as schools race to keep up with technology, a line is being drawn: using AI to understand lessons is fine, but not to do homework.

Nearly 92% of college students now use generative AI to some extent, up from 66% last year, according to a new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI).

“Literally everyone uses it,” says Magan Chin, a master’s student in technology policy at the University of Cambridge. On TikTok, she posts tips on learning with AI, from organizing chat-style study sessions to smart note-taking filters.

“AI has changed a lot. Initially, many people thought that using Chat GPT was cheating and stunted critical thinking. But now it is like a learning companion, a communication tool that helps us improve,” Chin added.

If used properly, AI can be an effective self-learning tool. Magan Chin suggests students input lecture notes into the system and have AI generate review questions.

“You can chat with it like you would a lecturer to interact directly,” she said, noting that AI is also capable of drawing mind maps and summarizing complex topics.

Jayna Devani, head of international education at OpenAI, the US-based developer of Chat GPT, supports this approach. “Students can upload course slides and have AI generate multiple-choice questions. It helps break down complex tasks into steps and clarify concepts,” she said.

But there is still the risk of relying too much on AI. To counter this, Chin and her friends apply a “counter-argumentation method.” She suggests: “When Chat GPT gives an answer, try to imagine how someone else would respond. Think of it as an additional perspective, but remember that it is just one answer among many.”

Chin also recommends that students ask AI to come up with different approaches to expand their thinking.

Such positive uses are often welcomed by universities. But concerns remain in the academic community about misuse of AI, with many faculty warning that it could undermine the university experience.

Professor Graham Wynn, Vice-Chancellor for Education at Northumbria University, said the use of AI to support and frame assignments was acceptable, but students should not rely solely on AI-generated knowledge and content.

“Students are vulnerable to ‘illusions’, fabricated references and fake content,” he warned.

Like many other schools, Northumbria has deployed AI detection tools to flag papers that show signs of excessive reliance on it. At the University of the Arts London (UAL), students are even required to keep a log of their AI use to ensure transparency in their personal creative process.

Like most new technologies, things are changing rapidly, says Professor Graham Wynn. The AI tools students use today will become part of the workplace tomorrow.

But college is not just about results, it’s about the learning experience. The message from educators is clear: let AI assist, not replace.

A UAL spokesperson also stressed, and advised: “Understanding AI is a core skill for students. Approach it with curiosity, but also with a sober mind.”

Thai Kieu Yen

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/su-dung-chatgpt-o-dai-hoc-co-phai-moi-nguy-hai-cua-sinh-vien-20250914161925280.htm