[467 Student's Eye] Chat GPT, My Final Piece of Writing

   Writing has always been a challenge for me. I often struggle to organize my thoughts clearly and express them concisely. As a result, whenever I face the task of writing a substantial piece, I find myself spending an excessive amount of time crafting each sentence. The more time I spend on writing, the less efficient I become, which is a problem when working under tight deadlines. Furthermore, my prolonged focus on a single task naturally leads to a decline in concentration, creating a vicious cycle where I spend even more time revising unsatisfactory work. This cycle has been frustrating, and breaking out of it has not been easy.

   My first serious encounter with AI, specifically Chat GPT (hereafter GPT), took place in September 2024, during my second semester. During my first semester, I struggled with university- level writing and felt an urgent need for a tool that could help me organize my thoughts. Motivated by recommendations from peers, positive reviews, and the visible results others had achieved, I decided to give GPT a try.

   It was during a seminar course that GPT proved to be particularly valuable. The subject was Kant’s philosophy, and I struggled to fully grasp his ideas through the assigned readings and my research. Asking the professor about every detail had its limitations. More importantly, I needed a study partner who could tailor the flow of discussion to my needs. GPT exceeded my expectations, answering my questions precisely. Engaging with GPT helped me grasp complex ideas and generate insights better than reading alone. This approach helped me navigate the seminar’s initial stages with ease.

   GPT also played a crucial role in preparing my presentation and discussions. Our team chose a weak thesis argument, requiring thorough preparation to defend my stance effectively. Verifying the validity of my reasoning was essential. My usual thought process follows a deductive reasoning pattern: from an initial idea A, I derive a secondary thought B, ultimately leading to a conclusion C. But how valid is C? Was my reasoning process sound? These questions lingered in my mind, and personal bias made it hard to evaluate objectively. So, rather than simply listing my questions, I walked the AI through my entire thought process. Designed to recognize logical structures, GPT provided reliable responses. I applied the same method when analyzing opposing arguments. By breaking down the statements in my counterpart’s presentation and questioning GPT on my interpretations, I was able to refine my thoughts, making them clear.

   However, GPT is not a perfect solution. Thinking GPT could handle everything, blindly relying on AI-generated responses without verification led to incorrect information and ultimately, a poor grade. This experience reinforced a realization: I must think critically, actively question, and scrutinize AI’s responses to use it effectively. Without prior knowledge, blindly depending on AI yields no meaningful benefits.

   AI still has significant room for improvement. Thus, it is up to individuals to learn how to use AI effectively and maximize its benefits.