By: Dr. Noor Munirah Isa
ChatGPT and similar AI models have shifted from experimental technology to everyday tools used in homes, workplaces, and schools worldwide in just a few short years. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT was first launched in 2020 as a language model designed to understand and generate human-like text. It quickly grew in popularity, inspiring wonder and curiosity, helping people write essays, answer questions, create ideas, and even hold conversations on complex topics.
Malaysia, recognizing the potential benefits of AI in education, has taken a progressive but cautious approach. The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) encourages AI use in universities if it complies with specific guidelines. These guidelines, aimed at both students and faculty, focus on enhancing the learning experience without compromising ethics, privacy, or the role of critical human judgment.
As its use spread, so did questions about its ethical implications. How should we, as users, shape the ethical use of AI in a way that truly benefits us and society? The power is in our hands. By using AI responsibly, we can harness its potential and empower ourselves, ensuring it supports growth, integrity, and respect for others.
By approaching ChatGPT through the lens of virtue ethics—focusing on character-building values rather than just rules—we can use this powerful tool to enhance our lives and communities. Here are some simple guidelines to help us navigate ChatGPT use with integrity and virtue.
1. Be Responsible and Honest
As AI became a fixture in our daily routines, responsibility became vital. When we ask ChatGPT questions, it’s up to us to use the information carefully. Instead of taking every answer at face value, we should double-check facts, especially if we share or use the information to make decisions. This could involve cross-referencing with reliable sources, fact-checking websites, or consulting experts in the field. This small habit builds honesty in us and helps prevent the spreading of misinformation. When we treat the information responsibly, we’re not only being accurate but also fair and truthful.
2. Keep Curiosity Alive
AI makes it easy to get answers, but real growth happens when we stay curious. Instead of using ChatGPT just to solve quick problems, try using it to explore new ideas and go deeper. Treat it as a resource to support learning, not as an endpoint. For example, asking follow-up questions or looking for different perspectives keeps our curiosity active and makes learning more meaningful.
Curiosity isn’t just helpful for academic growth; it’s a habit that makes life more exciting and rewarding. When we stay curious, we make ChatGPT a partner in lifelong learning rather than just a shortcut, keeping us engaged and eager to learn.
3. Use ChatGPT with Wisdom
Using AI with wisdom means knowing when to rely on it and when to use our judgment. ChatGPT can provide great insights, but it can’t replace human understanding. By choosing carefully when and how to use ChatGPT, we ensure it enhances our thinking instead of replacing it, making us thoughtful and considerate users.
A good rule of thumb: Don’t leave it entirely to AI if it’s a topic that requires nuance or insight. Use ChatGPT to support your thinking, not to replace it.
4. Show Respect for Others’ Ideas
ChatGPT can provide ideas and explanations, but respecting where these ideas come from is essential. For example, if we use ChatGPT to spark ideas for a project, it’s worth acknowledging the sources or taking the time to understand the background. In academic or professional settings, respecting intellectual property, which refers to the ownership of ideas and control over the use of one’s ideas, means giving credit where it’s due. And when dealing with sensitive information, we should avoid sharing anything private without proper care.
By respecting ideas and protecting privacy, we show integrity and encourage a culture of fairness and trust, even in a world where AI is becoming more prominent.
5. Use AI in Moderation
Moderation is about balance. ChatGPT can be a helpful tool, but if we rely on it too much, it can take away from real-world experiences and interactions. Genuine human connections, thinking through problems independently, and learning through direct experience are still essential. Moderation reminds us to use ChatGPT as a support, not a replacement, for personal effort and human connection. It’s about finding the right balance between using AI for efficiency and maintaining the richness of human experiences.
Imagine using ChatGPT to help with brainstorming or as a resource for ideas but then setting it aside to develop solutions or engage with people. This balance keeps us connected to the real world and avoids the risks of relying too much on technology.
Using ChatGPT with these virtues isn’t just about being careful; it’s about shaping how AI affects our lives. Technology like ChatGPT should serve us, not the other way around. By treating it as a tool supporting our growth and character, we ensure it positively adds to our lives.
The author is a senior lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, and may be contacted at noormunirah@um.edu.my
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