My awareness of AI has developed gradually over the last eight months, and with it, I understand its growing impact on education and all areas of our society and world. At first, I was against its use in the classroom, fearing that it would simply be another tool for “cheaters” and “plagiarizers,” only in this case, a tool that could not be detected by conventional plagiarism detection like Turnitin. 

What is AI? AI stands for “Artificial Intelligence.” It refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think and act like humans, including the ability to learn, reason, problem-solve, perceive, and sometimes interact using natural language processing. Our society is experiencing an AI revolution impacting higher education and all levels of our social organization. How we respond as educators to this new technology will determine the future outcomes of higher education in positive or less positive ways.

I now have several months of experience with ChatGPT and other AI generators like Bard, Semantic Scholar, NightCafé, and more, so my understanding and attitude toward these applications have changed. Whereas I was opposed to their introduction and use in the classroom, now I accept them with open arms, though hedged with specific parameters that depend upon the subject matter and class type.

Anthropology & AI

The essence of cultural anthropology lies in understanding and appreciating the richness of human diversity. As AI becomes an integral part of this field, I aim to ensure that technology enhances our understanding of what it means to be human during significant technological change. I want to know how to harness these AI tools to benefit human communities, not exploit them for worldly gain. I am excited to explore this possibility with my students, learning and evolving together.

In an interview with Susan Fourtuné of Fierce Education, Dr. Casey argues: “It is essential that all universities, all programs, and educators realize that AI is in all fields out there and they should be introducing it, or they are putting their students at a disadvantage.” Anthropology professors should explore the availability of different AI applications and how they might be utilized in academic and applied anthropology to pursue research questions, benefiting targeted communities. In doing so, educators will want to encourage the development of the following skills:

Understanding AI Concepts: Students should have a basic understanding of what AI is, its applications, and its potential impact on society. They should be familiar with terms like machine learning, data analysis, and automation.

Ethical Considerations: Students should explore the ethical implications of AI in cultural anthropology and discuss issues such as bias, privacy, surveillance, and the potential impact on cultural diversity and representation. These issues will be addressed by referencing the American Anthropological Association Statement of Ethics.

Critical Thinking and Analysis: Students should develop critical thinking skills to analyze the strengths and limitations of AI in the context of cultural anthropology. They should be encouraged to question assumptions, examine biases, and consider AI technologies’ cultural and social implications.

Impacts on Research and Fieldwork: Students should explore how AI technologies can affect anthropology research and fieldwork. Teachers can include discussing data collection methods, data analysis tools, and the potential for AI to augment or replace certain research practices.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Anthropology consists of four disciplines, and students are trained to frame research questions that can draw from two or more of these specialties. Additionally, students will be encouraged to explore collaborations between anthropology and AI applications to address research questions and societal challenges. This approach involves recognizing the value of interdisciplinary approaches and fostering communication between different disciplines.

Communication Skills: Students should develop practical communication skills to articulate their understanding of AI concepts and their implications in cultural anthropology. This skill would include the ability to explain complex ideas in clear and accessible language to a broader audience.

Ethnographic Research Using AI: Students will be expected to use AI tools to undertake an original ethnographic project that is due and presented during the final exam period. Guidelines will be posted online, and students will have ample time and preparation to undertake this novel research.

Discussion Questions: Ethical Use of AI

As we move forward with the implementation of generative AI in the classroom, we will want to be cognizant of the following points:

Inclusivity and Bias: How might AI systems in education inadvertently perpetuate or amplify existing biases and inequalities in society? What measures can ensure that AI tools in educational settings are inclusive and equitable? What might be the role of AI in global education settings? As cultural anthropologists, how might biases manifest differently depending on cultural or regional contexts?

Privacy and Data Security: With AI systems collecting vast amounts of data to optimize learning experiences, what ethical concerns arise regarding student privacy and data security? How should educational institutions address these concerns?

Dependency and Autonomy: As AI becomes increasingly integrated into educational tools and platforms, what are the potential ethical implications of over-reliance on such technologies? How might this affect students’ autonomy and critical thinking skills?

Transparency and Accountability: Should developers and educators be required to disclose the algorithms and decision-making processes behind AI tools used in educational settings? How can transparency lead to more ethical use of AI in education? Are there any potential risks and drawbacks of full transparency? Should we consider intellectual property law, competitive advantage, and possible misuse of disclosed algorithms?

Societal Impacts: Considering the broader societal implications, how might the pervasive use of AI in education affect future job markets, social interactions, and cultural values? Are there ethical concerns regarding how AI may shape the aspirations and worldviews of the next generation.

Societal Impacts: Considering the broader societal implications, how might the pervasive use of AI in education affect future job markets, social interactions, and cultural values? Are there ethical concerns regarding how AI may shape the aspirations and worldviews of the next generation.

Pedagogical Implications: How might the use of AI in education change the roles and responsibilities of educators? Are there ethical implications to consider in this potential shift?

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