Generative AI can be a great tool for many study-related activities. But before you start using generative AI for a specific task, you should always consider if it is appropriate. We have compiled a few points that you might consider before using generative AI:
- Am I allowed to use generative AI for this activity as per the ITU guidelines on generative AI?
- Am I allowed to use generative AI for this particular course as stated in the course description?
- Does the use of generative AI serve a purpose in relation to my own learning, or will it prevent me from learning valuable new skills?
- Is generative AI the best tool available for this task?
- Does the data I am working with contain personal, sensitive, or copyrighted information?
If you are unsure of whether to use generative AI or not, you should always consult your teacher or your supervisor.
The environmental impact
An important point to keep in mind is the environmental impact of generative AI, which is significantly higher than many alternative technologies. Some studies suggest that a single prompt might be equivalent to charging your phone from 0% to 100% as much as 40 times. Therefore, you should carefully consider each prompt. Maybe you could use another tool? Or maybe this is a chance for you to be creative on your own?
Depending on your needs, a regular search engine might be better. For example, if you are looking up the meaning of a word, ITU provides free access to Ordbogen.com, where you can find reliable dictionary definitions.