ChatGPT’s Exam Performance Reveals Strong Humanities and Weak Math Abilities
An academic experiment by Prof. Dr. Behçet Yalın Özkara from Eskişehir Osmangazi University unveiled the contrasting capabilities of AI in different academic areas. The artificial intelligence model ChatGPT 4.0 was tasked with solving the questions of the 2023 Turkish Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS). The results painted an intriguing picture highlighting the AI’s strengths and weaknesses.
Surprising Outcomes in Language and Social Sciences
The artificial intelligence software excelled in the Turkish Language and Social Sciences sections of the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT), achieving scores that would suggest a strong understanding in these areas. It also showed considerable prowess in the more humanities-focused Advanced Proficiency Tests, further demonstrating its linguistic and social reasoning capabilities.
Potential Admission to Prestigious Universities
Amidst its struggles with math and science questions, ChatGPT 4.0’s results indicated potential eligibility for admission to several university departments. Notably, the AI’s overall scores suggested that it could theoretically secure a place in humanities and equal-weight departments, including acclaimed institutions like the Middle East Technical University (ODTU) and Boğaziçi University, particularly in history and Turkish Language and Literature programs.
Key Questions and Answers Associated with AI in Humanities
1. How does AI perform in the field of humanities compared to STEM subjects?
AI, particularly models like ChatGPT, tend to excel in humanities due to their design, which is based on understanding and generating human-like text. They can grasp context, answer questions, and provide analysis in a way that is often aligned with the requirements of humanities subjects. However, they may struggle with the precision required in STEM subjects, especially in fields that require complex calculations and the application of advanced mathematical concepts.
2. What are the key challenges for AI in higher education entrance exams?
Challenges include the AI’s difficulty with certain types of logical reasoning, its inability to understand subtle nuances that may be required for advanced problem-solving, and the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge base. Furthermore, the structure of some exam questions may be designed to test nuanced understanding that goes beyond the AI’s training data.
3. Are there any controversies related to using AI for university entrance exams?
Controversies could arise from potential biases in AI, the integrity of using AI-assisted applications in exams, and the broader implications for educational equity. Additionally, there is debate about the extent to which AI performance can be seen as equivalent to human understanding and reasoning.
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in Humanities
Advantages:
– AI can process vast amounts of textual data and provide insights or summaries, aiding in humanities research.
– They can perform language translation and analysis at high levels, which is beneficial for linguistics and literature studies.
– AI can assist in personalized learning by providing support or tutoring in various subjects.
Disadvantages:
– AI may lack deep comprehension and the ability to engage with complex philosophical arguments or creative interpretations that are often required in the humanities.
– There’s a risk of the AI replicating systemic biases present in its training data, which can be problematic in subjects that require critical thinking about society and culture.
– The use of AI could potentially devalue human expertise in the humanities if it is deemed a suitable replacement for human judgment and analysis.
Should you wish to learn more about artificial intelligence and its impact on various fields, you can visit the main websites of reputable artificial intelligence research institutions for information. Some of these include:
– MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab
– DeepLearning.AI
– Stanford University
It is essential to note that artificial intelligence continues to evolve, and staying updated on the latest research and developments is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and limitations.