Discussions about the benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) are everywhere right now, and college campuses are grappling with how to address the rise of chat-based AI software like ChatGPT. 在今年的学生展示会上, several 研究 projects related to machine learning and AI will be on display. The Student Showcase is a celebration of the creativity, 研究, 创新, entrepreneurship and artistic performance of 官方登录 and Western Colorado Community College students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. 今年是第14个年头th anniversary of the event and there will be 377 sessions, a near record number. Those curious to learn more about how students in the Computer Science Program are working with cutting-edge AI technologies are invited to come learn about their work and ask questions during one of the many sessions focused on AI.
其中一组, comprised of CMU computer science students Sullivan 弗雷泽, 扎卡里·梅森和阿克塞尔·加塞斯, is going “under the hood” to develop their own machine learning software program as well as experimenting to make the popular ChatGPT chatbot platform more user friendly and approachable. A chatbot is a computer program that simulates human conversation and allows humans to engage with digital devices as if they were speaking with a real person.
Working from the premise that many people find AI intimidating, this group has collaborated to build an interactive web application that allows users to customize the characteristics of the chatbot they interact with. 例如, you can choose to have your chatbot assume the characteristics, 语言模式和《官方登录》中尤达的知识. In addition to making the chatbot experience more playful and fun, this feature can also allow users to select a chatbot based on their personal language and culture preferences allowing for a chatbot experience that reflects the individual using it.
Through their work the group has grappled with some of the deeper issues that AI presents. 梅森解释, “机器学习早在上世纪90年代就出现了, but now we have the computing power to make products that people find useful and it’s not behind closed doors anymore. ChatGPT并不是在创造新的东西, but it is quickly and accurately sorting through the huge repository of human knowledge that people have put into it, 这是新的东西.”
The team is specifically concerned about AI applications in which the programs are forced to make tough decisions where serious tradeoffs have to be considered. They believe that AI is great at collecting and organizing data, but the group argues there still needs to be a human element when the stakes are so high. “有时候你需要一条道德底线, 你需要一条道德底线, you need a human with a heartbeat making those big decisions,弗雷泽说. 梅森同意, “我不认为人工智能会夺走我们所有的工作, but we need to find the balance between humans and technology.” The group is excited about the future of computer science, and they are optimistic that humanity will be resilient in the face of the changes and challenges that AI presents.
弗雷泽 is excited to present their 研究 and bring this discussion to the larger CMU community at the Student Showcase. “Sometimes it feels like I’m a bit cooped up in Confluence Hall in my daily life. I don’t talk to a lot of people outside of computer science, and a lot of people don’t have a clue as to what we’re doing and what’s going on in here. Going to showcase allows people to come see what you’re up to and you get to learn about things happening in totally different fields,弗雷泽说.
弗雷泽, Mason and Garces’ group received guidance and support from their faculty mentor Associate Professor of Computer Science and Co-Director of Cyber Security Center Ram Basnet, 博士学位. Basnet, 以及其他CMU计算机科学学院的教员, is looking to expand the AI program offerings in coming years and the department currently offers professional certificates in cybersecurity, data science and web application development for students pursuing a degree in computer science.
This year’s Student Showcase will kick off at 12pm on Friday, 4月. 28 at the Love Recital Hall in the Moss Performing 艺术 Center. 演讲, 表演, demonstrations and exhibits will then take place throughout the day across campus. The day will wrap up with a celebration event at 4:30pm in the University Center Meyer Ballroom.
This event is free and open to the public and more information about this year’s sessions and parking details are available on the 学生展示网站.