I was somewhere amid reading a cache of college freshman essays when I slowed and stuttered over these words: "My new AI Bestie." I had assigned my students a 500-word process analysis essay on artificial intelligence in any form. Their choice. There was a smattering of papers on Google Maps and Siri, even one about an Apple Watch. As I expected, the majority of essays detailed the functions and use of ChatGPT.
What I did not anticipate was the "bestie" line in this particular piece, followed by more description of how this was not an isolated turn. Via social media, this student was introduced to the idea of forming both a personal confidante and professional counseling relationship with her ChatGPT. She described sharing problems, asking for advice on how to best manage her recent breakup and subsequent depression, as well as casual “check-ins” to chat about anything and nothing at all.
I was stunned.
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