USC recently launched its ChatGPT Edu workspace for students, faculty, and staff at the start of the spring semester, as part of new generative AI policies unveiled at a November AI summit. Nonetheless, faculty concerns have emerged regarding the partnership’s transparency, especially following significant layoffs affecting over 1,000 staff. Interim CIO Midhat Asghar stated the one-year subscription was negotiated with an emphasis on financial stewardship and aligns with USC’s security and scalability requirements.
While the workspace allows users to leverage ChatGPT without training models, faculty must inform students about its use policies. The generative AI policy emphasizes the accuracy of chatbot responses and prohibits confidential data entry. Critics, including 12 faculty members, express that the decision was made without adequate consultation, raising questions about the institution’s governance. Concerns over the impact on learning and potential “deskilling” have led to calls for proper guidance in AI usage in classrooms.
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