Analyzing ChatGPT-Proposed Solutions to Sustainability-Focused Problems
We assigned this activity in all ENGR 1010 courses in Fall 2023 and plan on using it again because it allowed for meaningful and impactful discussions with students about the use of generative AI in the engineering design process. Instructors can easily adapt this activity to their own contexts.
We all know tools like ChatGPT can generate information and interesting arguments when given a prompt. The real question is: do you trust what ChatGPT generates? It is your responsibility to actively challenge, question, and analyze arguments AI generates in response to your prompts. This activity is aimed at intentionally making you think about, analyze, and discuss:
Solutions to your proposed sustainability problem (including given constraints and success criteria)
Using tools like ChatGPT to gain and analyze information
Determining accuracy of facts included in arguments generated by an AI tool like ChatGPT
Analyzing the efficacy and logic presented in response to your prompt