A Summary of the transcript-first drafted via Google Gemini , prompted and edited by Martin Compton

The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) recently hosted a workshop on the implications of AI with a focus on generative AI tools like ChatGPT for teaching and assessment. With Dr Vivien Shaw from BAAB who designed and led the breakout element of the session, I was invited to share my thoughts on this rapidly evolving landscape, and it was a fantastic opportunity to engage with acupuncture/ Chinese Traditional Medicine educators and practitioners.

We started by noting the fact that the majority of attendees have had little or no experience using these tools and most were concerned:

Key Points

After a few defintions and live demos the key points I made were:

• AI is Bigger Than Generative AI: While generative AI tools like ChatGPT have taken the spotlight, it’s crucial to remember that artificial intelligence encompasses a much broader spectrum of technologies.
• Generative AI is a Black Box: Even the developers of these tools are often surprised by their capabilities and applications. This unpredictability presents both challenges and opportunities.
• The Human Must Remain in the Loop: AI should augment, not replace, human expertise. The “poetry” and nuance of human intelligence are irreplaceable.
• Scepticism is Essential: Don’t trust everything AI produces. Critical thinking and verification of information are more important than ever.
• AI is Constantly Improving: The capabilities of AI tools are evolving at a breakneck pace. What seems impossible today might be commonplace tomorrow.

Embracing the Opportunities and Addressing the Threats

The workshop highlighted the need for educators to lean into AI, understand its potential, and exploit its capabilities where appropriate. We also discussed the importance of adapting our teaching and assessment methods to this new reality.

In the workshop I shared an AI generated summary of an article by Saffron Huang on ‘The surprising synergy between acupuncture and AI‘

and a A Chinese Medicine custom GPT which was critiqued by the group

Breakout Sessions: Putting AI to the Test

To get a hands-on feel for AI’s impact, we divided into breakout groups and tackled some standard acupuncture exam questions using ChatGPT and other AI tools. The results were both impressive and concerning.

• Group 1: Case History: The AI-generated responses were generic and lacked the nuance and depth expected from a student.
• Group 2: Reflective Task: The AI produced “marshmallow blurb” – responses that sounded good but lacked substance or specific details.
• Group 3: PowerPoint Presentation: While the AI-generated presentation was a decent starting point, it lacked the specifics and critical analysis required by the assignment.

It was noted that these outputs should not mask the potential for labour saving, for getting something down as a start or the possibilites when multi-shot prompting (iterating).

The Road Ahead

The workshop sparked lively discussions about the future of teaching and assessment in the age of AI. Some key questions that emerged:

• How can we ensure that students are truly learning and not just relying on AI to generate answers?
• What are the ethical implications of using AI in education?
• How can we adapt our assessments to maintain their validity and relevance?

This will all take work but, as a starting point and even if you are blown away by the tutoring demo from Sal Khan /GPT 4o this week, value human connecton and interaction at all times. Neither dismiss out of hand or unthinkingly accept change for its own sake. Transformation is possible with these new tech because these AI are powerful tools, but it’s up to us to use them responsibly and ethically and to grow our understanding through experimentation and dialogue. We need to engage with the opportunities presented while remaining vigilant about the potential threats.