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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Researchers create chatbot to teach law class in university, but it kept messing up
Despite the enthusiasm, there is limited research testing how well AI performs in teaching environments, especially within structured university courses. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO Researchers create chatbot to teach law class in university, but it kept messing up A significant revelation was the sheer effort required to get the chatbot working effectively in tests. 'AI tutors' have been hyped as a way to revolutionise education. The idea is generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT) could adapt to any teaching style set by a teacher. The AI could guide students step-by-step through problems and offer hints without giving away answers. It could then deliver precise, immediate feedback tailored to the student's individual learning gaps. Despite the enthusiasm, there is limited research testing how well AI performs in teaching environments, especially within structured university courses. In our new study, we developed our own AI tool for a university law class. We wanted to know, can it genuinely support personalised learning or are we expecting too much? Our study In 2022, we developed SmartTest, a customisable educational chatbot, as part of a broader project to democratise access to AI tools in education. Unlike generic chatbots, SmartTest is purpose-built for educators, allowing them to embed questions, model answers and prompts. This means the chatbot can ask relevant questions, deliver accurate and consistent feedback and minimise hallucinations (or mistakes). SmartTest is also instructed to use the Socratic method, encouraging students to think, rather than spoon-feeding them answers. We trialled SmartTest over five test cycles in a criminal law course (that one of us was coordinating) at the University of Wollongong in 2023. Each cycle introduced varying degrees of complexity. The first three cycles used short hypothetical criminal law scenarios (for example, is the accused guilty of theft in this scenario?). The last two cycles used simple short-answer questions (for example, what's the maximum sentencing discount for a guilty plea?). An average of 35 students interacted with SmartTest in each cycle across several criminal law tutorials. Participation was voluntary and anonymous, with students interacting with SmartTest on their own devices for up to 10 minutes per session. Students' conversations with SmartTest – their attempts at answering the question, and the immediate feedback they received from the chatbot – were recorded in our database. After the final test cycle, we surveyed students about their experience. What we found SmartTest showed promise in guiding students and helping them identify gaps in their understanding. However, in the first three cycles (the problem-scenario questions), between 40 per cent and 54 per cent of conversations had at least one example of inaccurate, misleading or incorrect feedback. When we shifted to much simpler short-answer format in cycles four and five, the error rate dropped significantly to between 6 per cent and 27 per cent. However, even in these best-performing cycles, some errors persisted. For example, sometimes SmartTest would affirm an incorrect answer before providing the correct one, which risks confusing students. A significant revelation was the sheer effort required to get the chatbot working effectively in our tests. Far from a time-saving silver bullet, integrating SmartTest involved painstaking prompt engineering and rigorous manual assessments from educators (in this case, us). This paradox – where a tool promoted as labour-saving demands significant labour – calls into question its practical benefits for already time-poor educators. Inconsistency is a core issue SmartTest's behaviour was also unpredictable. Under identical conditions, it sometimes offered excellent feedback and at other times provided incorrect, confusing or misleading information. For an educational tool tasked with supporting student learning, this raises serious concerns about reliability and trustworthiness. To assess if newer models improved performance, we replaced the underlying generative AI powering SmartTest (ChatGPT-4) with newer models such as ChatGPT-4.5, which was released in 2025. We tested these models by replicating instances where SmartTest provided poor feedback to students in our study. The newer models did not consistently outperform older ones. Sometimes, their responses were even less accurate or useful from a teaching perspective. As such, newer, more advanced AI models do not automatically translate to better educational outcomes. What does this mean for students and teachers? The implications for students and university staff are mixed. Generative AI may support low-stakes, formative learning activities. But in our study, it could not provide the reliability, nuance and subject-matter depth needed for many educational contexts. On the plus side, our survey results indicated students appreciated the immediate feedback and conversational tone of SmartTest. Some mentioned it reduced anxiety and made them more comfortable expressing uncertainty. However, this benefit came with a catch: Incorrect or misleading answers could just as easily reinforce misunderstandings as clarify them. Most students (76 per cent) preferred having access to SmartTest rather than no opportunity to practise questions. However, when given the choice between receiving immediate feedback from AI or waiting one or more days for feedback from human tutors, only 27 per cent preferred AI. Nearly half preferred human feedback with a delay, and the rest were indifferent. This suggests a critical challenge. Students enjoy the convenience of AI tools, but they still place higher trust in human educators. A need for caution Our findings suggest generative AI should still be treated as an experimental educational aid. The potential is real – but so are the limitations. Relying too heavily on AI without rigorous evaluation risks compromising the very educational outcomes we are aiming to enhance. Armin Alimardani is senior lecturer in law and emerging technologies at the University of Wollongong, in Australia, and Emma A. Jane is associate professor, School of Arts and Media, UNSW Sydney. This article was first published in The Conversation Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Free speech, democracy, and the epidemic of hurt feelings
Muktabhimani mukto hibadho baddhabhimanyapi | Kivdanteeh satyeyamya matih sa gatirbhavet || (Freedom is the function of feeling free; the bondage of feeling bound.) It's rightly proclaimed that you are the product of what you think. Ashtavakra Gita, one of the founding texts of Indian philosophy, underscores the importance of freedom in these lines. Freedom manifests itself only when the subject believes in her ability to be free. Unfortunately, many recent events have negated this foundational idea of human endeavour. Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested for a social media post expressing his thoughts on the duplicitous attitudes surrounding the Operation Sindoor debate. The oral observations of the Supreme Court, while granting him bail, suggested that he indulged in 'politics' through this post, which contained some words that 'have double meaning'. It appears a little incongruent that an author is accused of indulging in politics when governments, past and present, have repeatedly proclaimed that not just indulging in politics but even critiquing and questioning the government is a sign of India's healthy democracy. How has politics suddenly become anathema? Politics, or the relationship between the governing and the governed, is the central point of Indian philosophy — classical to modern. In the realm of metaphysics, it is the negotiation between the nature of truth and those seeking it, of which the Ashtavakra Gita is an example. Politics exists in spiritual and mystical spaces as a dialogue between beliefs and believers. The Bhagavad Gita exemplifies this. In the physical space of the ordinariness of life, there is realpolitik, the interlocution of pragmatism and populism. Politics permeates every aspect of the living and the dead. Politics is the oxygen of academic life, irrespective of the discipline. It is a fallacy, a dangerous one at that, that only the social sciences indulge in politics. From Aryabhatta's exposition of the relativity of motion, which deals with perspective and illusion, to Albert Einstein's dilemma about the destructive potential of science, even the purest apolitical sciences are firmly ensconced in the political framework. The process of seeking and disseminating knowledge is dependent on the intersections of similar and contradictory ideas. An academic operates within and creates a space where multivalent thoughts find expression. The Socratic dialogues of Greece and the Shastraarth tradition of classical Indian pedagogy inform us about the necessity of a thought space where ideas are shared, discussed, and accepted or rejected. Therefore, if an academic will not indulge in politics, a stirring of the spirit of enquiry, who else will? But this is not about Mahmudabad or any one individual. The shutting of spaces that hold a carnival of ideas precedes a crisis of knowledge and progress. The snuffing of the flame of questioning can only herald dark times ahead. In societies where freedom of thought and expression comes with caveats, intellectual growth stunts. Those who take pride in our philosophical roots based on samgacchadhvam, samvadadhvam (coming together for a harmonious exchange of views) ought to feel uncomfortable with the rise in coercive action to silence those we disagree with. The legal aspects of the limits to freedom of speech aside, shouldn't there be a paradigm shift in assessing what speech is harmful enough to be gagged? If politics is dangerous per se, whither democracy? The government expects the youth to be part of India's growth story but is wary of exposing them to definitions of politics that differ from its own. What greatness has evolved in echo chambers? We can only raise prejudiced minds there. Insecure, easily hurt minds that will be unwilling to 'give ground even on unimportant disagreements', in the words of Christopher Hitchens. In the ongoing clash of politics, the epidemic of 'hurt feelings/sentiments' has spread unchecked, often getting a shot in the arm through criminal cases and violent actions against the speaker. Hurt feelings and damaging words should meet each other in civil court, where they can litigate their heart out. This is still in keeping with the tradition of exchanging ideas. Criminalising speech that has, as yet, posed no imminent danger to public order or instigated violence is akin to punishing a thought crime in George Orwell's 1984. Nishtha Gautam is an author and academician. The views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
SP Jain Group launches AI-powered learning tool for business students
The SP Jain Group has rolled out an artificial intelligence-based tutor designed to support students across various stages of their academic work. The AI-Enabled Learning Tutor (AI-ELT) is being positioned as a curriculum-specific tool to assist learners in preparing for classes, completing projects, revising for exams, and developing professional skills. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Introducing AI-ELT – The SP Jain Group's new AI-Enabled Learning Tutor Unlike widely used general-purpose AI chatbots, AI-ELT has been trained on the institution's own business curriculum, with a focus on course-specific content, learning outcomes, and evaluation rubrics. It will help interacting with students through guided questioning in a Socratic style, aiming to reinforce conceptual understanding through dialogue rather than direct answers. The tool has been integrated into several parts of the academic process: Pre-class preparation: Students can use the tool to review key concepts and go through case-based questions ahead of lectures. Project mentoring: AI-ELT helps with structuring academic and industry research projects, suggesting models and analytical approaches. Exam readiness: The tool can generate exam-style questions, identify knowledge gaps, and provide feedback. Interview practice: It also includes features for simulating interviews and improving communication skills. The SP Jain Group says the system is designed to be accessible at all times, giving students on-demand academic support regardless of their proficiency level. The tool is also intended to ease the burden on faculty by providing scalable support outside class hours. While institutions globally are experimenting with AI in education, SP Jain's adoption of a course-specific platform reflects a growing interest in using AI to personalise learning at scale. The group says the tool is part of a broader shift toward technology integration in business education. AI-ELT is currently in use across SP Jain's undergraduate and postgraduate business programs. The group has not yet commented on how it plans to assess the tool's effectiveness or whether it will be expanded further.
Gulf Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Greece is Guest of Honour at 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair, says Sheikha Bodour
Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), emphasised that Greece, with its rich historical legacy and global cultural influence, stands as a vital pillar in the ongoing story of human creativity. She highlighted that the nation, which inspired Homer's epic works, shaped Socratic ideals of virtue, and erected theatres that continue to ignite artistic imagination, embodies a timeless source of knowledge and enlightenment for scholars, thinkers, and writers across centuries. Her remarks came during the signing ceremony announcing Greece as the Guest of Honour for the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). The agreement was formalised by Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; and Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic. Dignitaries at the event. The signing took place at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre in Greece. A place where the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue Sheikha Bodour said: 'Sharjah's cultural journey continues to be guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Today, the emirate carries this vision forward by embracing Greek culture. We believe flourishing civilisations are built on dialogue and exchange across geographical boundaries and Sharjah remains committed to this approach'. She added: 'Greece's participation at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair is an exciting opportunity for us all to discover the shared origins of our myths and tales, and other common influences that have shaped human consciousness'. She explained that SBA is working to ensure the 44th edition of SIBF becomes a milestone event, spotlighting a nation that, together with the Arab world, has helped shape the course of civilisation. The Chairperson concluded: 'Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at SIBF. Crowds at a previous edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. Hosting Greece as our Guest of Honour is a call to heed the voices of Athens, says Bodour. File With this, we continue to reinforce the book fair's role as a global platform where collective memory intersects, and the world's languages and cultures come together in dialogue.' An evolving intellectual dialogue at every edition of SIBF Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'In line with His Highness's vision to champion global cultural exchange, hosting Greece as Guest of Honour at SIBF 2025 adds to the fair's distinguished record of international partnerships. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most influential civilisations, whose legacy continues to shape human thought. Each edition of the fair seeks to open new cultural horizons and foster meaningful intellectual exchange rooted in diversity.' Al Ameri added: 'SIBF has grown from a cultural event into a global hub for publishing and literary innovation, attracting publishers and thought leaders worldwide. "Guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's leadership, it has become a versatile knowledge platform that connects readers with authors, enriches the publishing industry, and reaffirms Sharjah's status among the world's leading international book fairs.' The cultural pathway between Greece and the UAE further enriched Yasonas Varthalitis, Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, noted during the signing ceremony: 'We meet today in a spirit of friendship and collaboration that has long defined the relationship between Greece and the UAE. Our presence in Sharjah stems from the dedicated efforts of the Minister of Culture, who has worked to forge a strong foundation for cooperation and a vibrant cultural exchange linking Greece and the UAE. This path is enriched through language, literature, poetry, publications, events, exhibitions and a wide range of cultural initiatives.' He added: 'Our cultural cooperation with SIBF deepens the bond between our nations and peoples. We are curating a rich and engaging programme that showcases the depth of Greek literary and publishing talent, in line with Greece's broader vision of openness, development and expanding global engagement. We deeply thank SBA for its productive collaboration and look forward to building on this dynamic and inspiring partnership.' The best of Greek culture, literature, art and gastronomy at SIBF 2025 As Guest of Honour at the 44th SIBF, Greece will present a diverse programme of cultural and literary events highlighting its heritage's depth and richness. The line-up will span classical philosophy, theatre, poetry, contemporary literature, and visual arts. It will also host leading Greek authors, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as music and art performances inspired by Greek traditions. Educational segments will also spotlight major milestones in Greek cultural history and its enduring contributions to human civilisation.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stuck in a heated philosophical debate? Here is how 'Straw Man' and 'Steel Man' might just save the conversation
If you've ever found yourself mid-debate, frustrated and misunderstood, chances are you were dealing with a straw man—and no, that's not a Halloween prop or a country fair game. In the philosophical and rhetorical world, the straw man is the age-old trick of misrepresenting someone's argument so badly that it becomes easier to tear down. But what if we told you there's a nobler, smarter, and ultimately more respectful way to debate? Welcome to the world of steelmanning. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare The Science of Better Arguments: From Fallacies to Fairness A straw man argument simplifies, exaggerates, or distorts someone's point to the point of absurdity—making it easier to ridicule or refute. It's like arguing that vegetarians want all carnivores arrested or that environmentalists are against electricity. These are not real arguments; they're hollow stand-ins, designed to win points, not understanding. Enter steelmanning —the intellectual antidote to lazy argumentation. This isn't just semantic judo. It's about engaging with the strongest possible version of your opponent's claim, even if they haven't made it that clearly themselves. And according to the late philosopher Daniel Dennett , it's not just good manners—it's essential to meaningful conversation . Daniel Dennett's Four-Step Guide to Arguing Like a Philosopher Back in 2013, Dennett laid down four rules that should guide any productive philosophical exchange . First and foremost, try to express your opponent's position so clearly and generously that they might say, 'I wish I'd said it like that.' Then, identify the common ground you share. Third, acknowledge what you've learned from their perspective. Only after all that—yes, only then—should you offer critique or rebuttal. Dennett wasn't inventing a new trend; he was reviving the Socratic method . Socrates, as recorded by Plato, spent more time clarifying and reinforcing his opponent's claims than tearing them down. The purpose? To make the dialogue meaningful, not theatrical. You Might Also Like: Are we deciphering 'Ikigai' all wrong? The truth behind Japan's most misunderstood philosophy — rmnth (@rmnth) Why It Matters: Debate is Not a Battlefield The real power of steelmanning lies in its respect for truth over ego. While the straw man lets you score quick wins, it does so at the cost of intellectual honesty . You're not just defeating a weaker version of your opponent's argument—you're avoiding the real one. In political discourse , especially, this has become epidemic. Scholars Robert Talisse and Scott Aikin even identified a newer variation called the selection form —picking the weakest, most fringe views from the opposing side and pretending that they represent the whole. Worse still is the hollow man , where you invent an argument out of thin air and refute it triumphantly. You'll recognize it in statements that begin with 'some people say…' or 'they believe that…' followed by an absurd position no one has actually taken. It's intellectual shadowboxing, impressive only to the person doing it. And then there's nutpicking —a cherry-picked parade of irrational or extreme voices used to paint an entire group as misguided. It's less a debate and more a smear campaign disguised as logic. iStock While the straw man lets you score quick wins, it does so at the cost of intellectual honesty. You're not just defeating a weaker version of your opponent's argument—you're avoiding the real one. Steeling the Mind, Strengthening the Dialogue Steelmanning, by contrast, is an act of intellectual generosity. It forces you to confront not just what's wrong with your opponent's views, but what might be right. In doing so, it sharpens your own reasoning, reveals hidden assumptions, and encourages growth on both sides. You Might Also Like: Silent damage: How parental screen time is rewiring young minds and fueling mental chaos? Study reveals Even if your conversation partner hasn't presented their argument perfectly, steelmanning invites you to dig deeper—to find the gold hidden under poor phrasing or emotional delivery. And in a world increasingly driven by echo chambers, memes, and hot takes, the ability to think charitably might just be the skill we all need most. So next time you're stuck in a heated conversation, resist the urge to burn down a straw man. Instead, build a steel one—and see how far both of you can go.
