Since the advent of ChatGPT in December, artificial intelligence (AI) has been transforming how students and teachers interact and learn. While some people might be concerned about the potential risks, others are excited about the limitless possibilities that AI opens up. For students especially, it presents powerful opportunities to enhance the learning process rather than taking away from it.

With ChatGPT, students can receive instant feedback on their work and get personalized recommendations for further learning by plugging their work into the

chat box. For example, students in AP Courses can use ChatGPT in order to receive assistance and practice when studying for AP tests. “I used ChatGPT in order to take a baseline test for my AP Micro & Macro tests. Based on that, ChatGPT told me specific skills I

needed to work on and gave me practice for those skills,” said Elliot Gross ’24.

I put ChatGPT to the test in grading a sample FRQ from AP Comparative Government and Politics. 

The question (College Board AP Comparative Government and Politics Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary Set 1):

Explain how political culture differs from political ideology.

The answer (College Board AP Comparative Government and Politics Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary Set 1):

Political ideology is a specific set of beliefs about specific political issues, while political culture is the general atmosphere of shared beliefs, values and understandings within a region/nation. For example, a person’s political ideology may be more conservative, prompting them to support pro-gun policies and reject pro-life policies. However, regardless of

political ideologies, people in the same political culture would, for example, maintain that everyone should vote and that everyone has the right to different opinions.

The feedback (from ChatGPT):

Based on the provided response, I would score it as follows using the AP Rubric:

Understanding and Application of Concepts: 4/6

The response demonstrates a basic understanding of the difference between political culture and political ideology, explaining that political ideology is a specific set of beliefs about specific issues, while political culture is the general atmosphere of shared beliefs and values within a region or nation. The response also provides an example of how political ideology differs from political culture, using the example of conservative beliefs on gun control and abortion.

Analysis and Interpretation of Data and Sources: 2/6

The response does not demonstrate significant analysis or interpretation of data or sources, as the prompt does not provide anyspecific data or sources to analyze.

Argumentation and Evidence:3/6

The response provides some evidence to support its claims, but it is limited. The example of conservative beliefs on gun control and abortion is relevant to the explanation of political ideology, but it does not provide strong evidence to support the explanation of political culture.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Comparative Perspectives: 3/6

The response briefly touches on the idea that people in the same political culture would maintain certain beliefs and values regardless of their political ideology, but it does not provide a thorough or nuanced analysis of comparative perspectives.

Overall Score: 12/24 or 3/6

The response demonstrates some understanding of the key concepts involved in the question, but it lacks depth and analysis. It also fails to fully address all aspects of the AP Rubric.

One major concern with AI in education is the risk of cheating. Schools fear that students may use AI to generate answers to assignments, leading to a lack of understanding and an increase in academic dishonesty. This fear is rampant, evident by the over 18 school districts across the country that have banned Chat GPT from all district networks and devices.

However, if AI is used appropriately, it can actually help prevent cheating, and improve education for many.

When one is motivated to cheat, the motivation comes from a lack of understanding of the concept. For example, if I have math homework due tomorrow on a topic I haven’t been paying attention to, instead of using a program like PhotoMath to do the work for me and just spit out an answer, I could engage in a dialogue with ChatGPT and have it provide an explanation, tailored to my level of understanding.

Ultimately, AI can coexist with traditional methods of teaching to provide a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students. Those who see ChatGPT as only a tool for cheating risk misunderstanding its potential as a learning partner.