Integrating AI Technology in Programming Classes

Crane, Matthew; Williams, Miles; Garcia Valecillos, Luis; Thesmar, Joseph

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Integrating AI Technology in Programming Classes

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New chatbot technology has the potential to significantly impact various aspects of society, particularly education, prompting our study of its educational benefits. We aim to develop an introductory programming class dedicated to educating and harnessing this technology for constructive purposes. To acquire insights into this emerging topic, we sought the perspectives of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences community, given the limited research available on this subject. Concerns within the community revolve around false information and its impact on learning outcomes when using chatbots. We addressed this by emphasizing that chatbots are not infallible but rather sophisticated search engines that can help mitigate the spread of inaccurate information. Leveraging chatbots as educational tools to empower learning and ensure comprehensive topic understanding, akin to personal teaching assistants, represents an effective use of this technology within an academic environment. By implementing chatbot technology to support educational endeavors, we harness its potential while reducing the risks associated with its uninformed use. This project aligns with academic needs by addressing concerns surrounding chatbots, offering guidance on their responsible use, and promoting their positive role in education within the computer science field.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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