The polysemy of generative artificial intelligence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7346/-feis-XXIII-01-25_10Keywords:
Generative Artificial Intelligence, LLMs, Education, AI Companionship, History TeachingAbstract
The following paper aims to introduce into the pedagogical landscape a critique of the function of LLMs, large language models, as mediators in relational and teaching practices. It will explore the genesis and functionality of Generative Artificial Intelligence and, in particular, Large Language Models (LLMs), which are now widely used in formal, non-formal, and informal education settings. Following a brief theoretical introduction to the devices, two illustrative cases are presented: Humy.AI and Replika. These two companies propose the use of a ‘relational agent’ which, starting from a specific LLM, performs similar tasks but in very different fields: Humy.AI is developed to implement history teaching, while Replika is a relational agent, or AI companion, developed to function as a virtual companion, capable, for example, of empathic listening and non-judgmental dialogue. The criticism is based on the fact that, in both cases, a large language model, simply because it can imitate natural language and respond effectively from a syntactic point of view, becomes an epistemological actor and decision-maker in the growth processes of individuals in training, just as it is when it comes to organizing certain processes quantitatively. For this reason, it is urgent to understand to what extent – and to what degree – an agent based on generative artificial intelligence can be a mediator in these processes. Where empirical research must clearly identify the terms of this revolution, it is equally important to take a clear position and not confuse the pedagogical tasks that every educator must respond to, in order to avoid excessive delegation to algorithms and agents based on generative artificial intelligence, as is already the case in certain specific areas of human resources, robotics, and algorithmic workplace management.
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