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 now become as familiar as a textbook or a pocket calculator. From correcting grammar, organizing study materials to creating flashcards, AI is gradually becoming an indispensable “companion” in university life.

However, as schools race to catch up with technology, a line is being drawn: using AI to understand lessons is okay, but not to do homework.

According to a new report released by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), nearly 92% of students now use generative AI to some extent, a jump from 66% last year.

“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-based study sessions to smart note-taking filters.

“AI has changed a lot. Initially, many people thought that using Chat GPT was cheating, stunting 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, also 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 the risk of over-reliance on AI remains. 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 lecturers warning that it could undermine the university experience.

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

“Students are vulnerable to 'illusion', 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. 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 isn’t 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