DukeGPT: The University’s Leap into Generative AI
In June 2023, Duke University took a significant step into the realm of artificial intelligence by launching its own generative AI model—DukeGPT. This innovative tool allows members of the Duke community to seek answers not only about campus life but also to explore a wider array of topics. Conceived as part of a broader Provost’s Initiative focusing on artificial intelligence, DukeGPT represents the university’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into education.
An Initiative in Partnership with OpenAI
The rollout of DukeGPT is intertwined with Duke’s strategic partnership with OpenAI, the developers behind the renowned ChatGPT. This collaboration not only enables the creation of DukeGPT, but it also ensures that the university community has access to some of the latest advancements in AI. Free access to ChatGPT-4o has been granted to all undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and certain graduate students, further promoting the use of generative AI across the campus.
Student Engagement with AI
A recent survey conducted by The Chronicle revealed some intriguing insights about the use of generative AI among students. Remarkably, three in five respondents indicated they utilize generative AI tools weekly for their assignments, with only about 19.6% admitting they never engage with this technology. This widespread adoption highlights not just the prevalence of AI tools in academic settings, but also their growing significance in student life.
A Versatile but Limited AI Tool
Despite its name, DukeGPT’s capabilities extend beyond university-specific inquiries. Users can ask about various topics, from historical rankings of U.S. Presidents—where George Washington consistently ranks first—to advice on rapid language acquisition. However, DukeGPT does have notable limitations; its knowledge cut-off is set for June 2024, leaving it ill-equipped to handle inquiries related to events or developments post-date. For instance, it cannot speak to Duke’s recent strategic realignment initiative or significant funding issues with the NIH.
Complications and Hallucinations
DukeGPT, like many generative AI models, is not without flaws. The phenomenon known as “hallucinations” leads the AI to generate incorrect or fabricated information. When tasked with ranking vendors at the Brodhead Center, DukeGPT humorously placed a non-existent eatery, “Gyro Zone,” fourth, describing it as a “Mediterranean Chipotle.” Furthermore, it invented an imaginary dorm called Ark, portraying it as a tight-knit living space, despite its actual existence being merely as a non-dorm building.
Subjective Rankings and Eccentric Responses
While rankings are inherently subjective, DukeGPT’s assessments may raise eyebrows. For example, it deemed The Devil’s Krafthouse the eighth best eatery at the Brodhead Center and identified East House as the top dorm on East Campus, conveniently leaving Trinity dorm out of its top ten. Such unconventional choices showcase the model’s whimsical approach to preferences, even if they seem questionable to the average student.
Privacy Measures and Usage Guidelines
The rollout of DukeGPT brings forth questions about user privacy. According to the official press release, while the university can track the overall usage of the service, individual queries and responses are not directly shared with faculty. However, IT administrators might monitor usage for security and compliance reasons.
DukeGPT has taken a stance against academic dishonesty, encouraging students to use the tool primarily for brainstorming and research instead of submitting generated text as their own work, which it considers plagiarism. Notably, when asked to draft a sample essay, DukeGPT immediately proposed writing a complete draft and even offered to include citations—illustrating its potential for assisting with academic tasks while still promoting integrity.
Features Compared to ChatGPT
One major distinction between DukeGPT and ChatGPT lies in the absence of source linking and image generation capabilities. As a result, while DukeGPT serves as a valuable resource for Duke students, it lacks the comprehensive tools available in ChatGPT. This difference emphasizes Duke’s awareness that AI integration is becoming increasingly essential in higher education, and the Provost’s Initiative is expected to yield valuable reports regarding AI usage at the university by semester’s end.
As Duke University continues to navigate the complexities of AI integration, the introduction of DukeGPT serves as a striking example of how educational institutions can harness technology to enhance learning opportunities while addressing the inherent challenges that come along.