Journal: International Journal of Information Management
Year: 2023
Citations: 2,435
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102642

Abstract

Transformative artificially intelligent tools, such as ChatGPT, designed to generate sophisticated text indistinguishable from that produced by a human, are applicable across a wide range of contexts. The technology presents opportunities as well as, often ethical and legal, challenges, and has the potential for both positive and negative impacts for organisations, society, and individuals. Offering multi-disciplinary insight into some of these, this article brings together 43 contributions from experts in fields such as computer science, marketing, information systems, education, policy, hospitality and tourism, management, publishing, and nursing. The contributors acknowledge ChatGPT’s capabilities to enhance productivity and suggest that it is likely to offer significant gains in the banking, hospitality and tourism, and information technology industries, and enhance business activities, such as management and marketing. Nevertheless, they also consider its limitations, disruptions to practices, threats to privacy and security, and consequences of biases, misuse, and misinformation. However, opinion is split on whether ChatGPT’s use should be restricted or legislated. Drawing on these contributions, the article identifies questions requiring further research across three thematic areas: knowledge, transparency, and ethics; digital transformation of organisations and societies; and teaching, learning, and scholarly research.

Summary

This comprehensive opinion paper explores the multifaceted implications of generative conversational AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, across education, business, and society. The research brings together perspectives from 43 experts across diverse fields to examine ChatGPT’s potential to enhance productivity in various sectors, particularly banking, hospitality, and information technology, while acknowledging significant limitations and risks. These include the potential for bias, misinformation, plagiarism, job displacement, and ethical concerns surrounding authorship and accountability. The paper highlights the urgent need for research into responsible AI development, implementation, and governance.

The research offers diverse perspectives on ChatGPT’s impact on education, emphasizing both the potential for personalized learning and the challenges to academic integrity. Concerns range from the ease of plagiarism to the potential for superficial learning and the need for educators to adapt teaching and assessment methods. The study suggests a shift in focus from rote memorization to critical thinking and problem-solving skills, emphasizing the need for students to develop a critical understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.

Ultimately, the paper advocates for a nuanced approach to generative AI, neither outright rejection nor uncritical embrace. It calls for a multidisciplinary research agenda addressing ethical considerations, responsible AI development, and the adaptation of educational and professional practices to navigate the transformative potential of ChatGPT and similar technologies. The research stresses the importance of transparency, accountability, and the development of robust frameworks for mitigating risks and maximizing the benefits of this rapidly evolving technology.

Main Takeaways

• Significant Productivity Gains: ChatGPT offers substantial productivity enhancements across various sectors, particularly in banking, hospitality, and IT, by automating routine tasks and improving access to information. However, this comes with the risk of job displacement.

• Transformative Impact on Education: ChatGPT’s ability to generate high-quality text poses significant challenges to academic integrity, requiring a re-evaluation of teaching methods and assessment strategies. While it offers potential for personalized learning, concerns about plagiarism, superficial learning, and the erosion of critical thinking skills are paramount.

• Ethical and Societal Concerns: The research highlights significant ethical concerns, including bias in AI outputs, the potential for misinformation and disinformation, issues of authorship and accountability, privacy violations, and the lack of clear legal frameworks governing its use. The potential for misuse, including the creation of deepfakes and malicious code, is also a major concern.

• Urgent Need for Research: The study emphasizes the urgent need for multidisciplinary research to address the ethical, societal, and practical challenges posed by ChatGPT and similar technologies. This includes research on responsible AI development, bias mitigation, the development of detection tools, and the adaptation of educational and professional practices to effectively integrate and manage this rapidly evolving technology.