Please keep in mind that new technology like Generative AI (Gen AI) shouldn’t simply make your thinking or work easier, much less take the place of the uniquely singular abilities of human beings to grow cognitively, think creatively, or evaluate critically. If you use Gen AI to simply avoid work, you are doing it wrong. Instead, using Gen AI in the spirit of Douglas Engelbart’s “augmenting human intelligence” and Donna Haraway’s configuration of the cyborg point the way to beneficial heightening of human possibility instead of harmful erasure of the cognitive distinctions of humanity. If you use Gen AI, use it wisely and use it well. This post is the eleventh in this series.
In the science fiction film The Matrix, humans unknowingly live within a simulated reality created by machines. Similarly, when students input personal or private information into AI tools, they may be contributing to a vast, invisible dataset that could be used in unintended ways. This raises important questions about privacy and the responsible use of AI in academic writing.
Generative AI tools require input to generate responses, and this input is often incorporated into their systems for future use. While this allows the tools to improve over time, it also means that any sensitive or personal information provided by users could be shared or misused. For example, a student working on a sensitive topic might input detailed personal reflections or original ideas into an AI tool, only to have that information become part of the tool’s training data. This creates a privacy paradox: the more students rely on AI tools, the more they may be compromising their own privacy.
This issue is reminiscent of the theme of surveillance in science fiction, where individuals are constantly monitored and controlled by technological systems. In works like George Orwell’s 1984, the pervasive surveillance of the state undermines individual freedom and creativity. Similarly, the use of AI tools in academic writing could undermine students’ control over their own ideas and personal information.
To address this problem, students must be mindful of what they input into AI tools. They should avoid sharing sensitive or personal information and instead use the tools for general brainstorming or drafting. Using local Gen AI tools on one’s own computer or mobile device keeps your data safe on your own system instead of sending to a remote system.
While generative AI tools offer powerful possibilities for academic writing, they also pose significant privacy risks. The cyborg student must approach these tools with caution, carefully considering what they share and how they protect their personal information. By doing so, they can use AI responsibly while safeguarding their privacy.
