Category: Critical Perspectives
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AI Metaphors We Live By: The Language of Artificial Intelligence
In “Metaphors We Live By,” Lakoff and Johnson emphasise that metaphors are fundamental to human thought and language, not just decorative language. In this post, I’ve examined my own use of metaphors to describe AI and analysed their implications, highlighting the power and limitations of these metaphors in shaping our understanding of AI and its…
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Digital Plastic: Understanding AI-Generated Synthetic Media
What is Digital Plastic? Last year, I wrote an article introducing the concept of digital plastic, coining the term to describe AI-generated synthetic media, which, like its real-world counterpart, can be both helpful and harmful. Lately, I’ve been revisiting the term amidst ongoing discussions around quickly developing technologies like video generation. In this post, I’m…
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The Dark Library: When Language Models aren’t Suited for Learning
Large Language Models like ChatGPT are praised as potential saviours or threats to education. While they promise personalised learning and assistance, their limitations are evident. Without a deep understanding or the ability to reflect independently, users must prompt them correctly, making them challenging as learning tools. Educators can leverage their capabilities but must understand their…
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Multimodal Discourse and Generative AI
I’ve been re-reading Kress and Van Leeuwen’s 2001 book, Multimodal Discourse for the nth time, and, despite showing its age in some areas, it still offers some great language for discussing Generative AI. Kress and Van Leeuwen presented a new theory of multimodal semiotics, designed up update monomodal theories of communication with new technologies in…
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Education doesn’t need more sparkle ✨
The education system is often deemed broken, but in reality, it is working as designed. While technology may claim to “revolutionize education”, it often fails to address societal and cultural shifts impacting education. Technological solutions, like Microsoft’s “add sparkle” feature, demonstrate a lack of understanding and respect for educators. True progress lies in supporting educators…
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Chatbots STILL aren’t the future of AI in education… so what is?
I’ve criticised the focus on chatbots in education, especially those using Generative AI as “homework helpers” and personalised tutors. I think these tools are limited and not aligned with the future of AI applications, or a solid understanding of pedagogy. The education sector is being left behind as tech companies prioritise more advanced AI developments.…
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Critic, creator, consumer: A framework for using (or being used by) GenAI
In the past 18 months, multimodal generative AI has become increasingly ubiquitous, influencing the way many create and interact with content across various domains, including text, image, audio, and video. While generative AI doesn’t “democratise creativity“, it will impact upon many creative and academic areas. As these technologies continue to advance and permeate our daily…
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Generative AI doesn’t “democratize creativity”
Last weekend, I saw a LinkedIn post from influential AI-educator Ethan Mollick, in which Mollick presented a YouTube channel of videos created using GenAI. Glaring copyright and IP issues notwithstanding, one thing in particular about the post rubbed me up the wrong way: the term “democratizing” applied to AI and creativity. Mollick shares a lot…
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Some technologies are created with values, others have values thrust upon them
Back in 2023, I wrote an extensive series of articles called Teaching AI Ethics in which I explored nine areas of ethical concerns with artificial intelligence. In those early articles, I argued that it is absolutely necessary to wrestle with the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, particularly as generative applications such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot,…
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Holding on to what we’ve learned, and letting go of what we’ve lost: Generative AI post lockdowns
This article has been adapted and updated from an earlier piece published in VATE’s Idiom magazine. I know we don’t talk about remote learning any more, but… The first Stage 3 lockdowns came into effect in Victoria over almost four years ago to the day, at midnight March 31st, 2020. Schools had been forewarned, and…