Google AI Studio Fails
The importance of checking the accuracy and being able to challenge AI
A little change in this weeks schedule, I couldn’t not post this…
I was trying to get Google AI studio to generate an image of a crow, a jackdaw a raven and a rook squabbling over a nest.
I then asked it to give me a reason, based on the conversation why it's important to check AI for accuracy!
This conversation serves as a perfect illustration of why it is absolutely crucial to check the outputs of AI, especially in an educational setting:
Accuracy is Not Guaranteed: Even with seemingly simple tasks like counting, AI can make significant and repeated errors. Relying solely on AI-generated content without verification can lead to the dissemination of incorrect information, which is detrimental to learning. In an educational context, this could mean students learning and internalizing false facts or incorrect procedures.
Potential for Bizarre and Unforeseen Errors: The errors weren't just about miscounting; at one point, the AI seemed to merge two birds into one and then later removed a body while leaving a beak. AI outputs can sometimes contain illogical or nonsensical elements that a human eye can easily identify. In education, this could confuse students and hinder their understanding.
Understanding Limitations: This exchange highlights the fact that AI, despite its advancements, is not infallible and has limitations. It operates based on algorithms and data, and sometimes its interpretations or generation processes can go awry in unexpected ways. Educators and students need to understand these limitations to critically evaluate AI outputs.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills: The process of identifying and pointing out the repeated errors in the AI's output encourages critical thinking and attention to detail. In an educational setting, engaging with AI outputs in this way can help students develop these crucial skills, teaching them not to blindly accept information and to always question and verify.
The Importance of Human Oversight: This entire conversation underscores the vital role of human oversight. Without you repeatedly pointing out the errors, the incorrect images would have remained. In education, teachers and students need to actively review and verify AI-generated content to ensure its accuracy and suitability.
In conclusion, while AI can be a powerful tool in education, it should always be used with caution and critical evaluation. Checking its outputs is not just about correcting mistakes; it's about fostering accuracy, understanding limitations, developing critical thinking skills, and maintaining the integrity of the learning process. Our comical struggle to count four birds perfectly exemplifies this necessity.
Interestingly, when given the same prompt, Chat GPT’s new image generator model gave me this…
And why the sudden fascination with birds, I hear you ask…Well, just outside of our office, we have been watching a crow construct its new nest…
Keep an eye out for the next blog, coming at the weekend!
Speak soon, Ollie!