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What A.I. Means for College Writing

Jul 24, 2025
Hua Hsu, a staff writer for The New Yorker and literature professor at Bard College, discusses the profound impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on college writing. He highlights how students use AI for everything from organizing ideas to completing assignments, raising concerns about academic integrity and creativity. Professors are adjusting their teaching methods to cope with these changes, contemplating new approaches to assessments. Hsu emphasizes the vital balance between utilizing technology and preserving essential critical thinking skills in education.
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INSIGHT

AI Use is More Prevalent Than Reported

  • OpenAI estimates about a third of college students use AI, but actual usage seems higher.
  • Even at tech-wary colleges, AI assists in brainstorming and summarizing, not just essay writing.
ANECDOTE

Student Uses AI Extensively

  • A student at NYU uses AI for almost all writing tasks, including personal messages.
  • He views AI as a way to save time to focus on subjects and career paths he is passionate about.
INSIGHT

AI As Student Personal Assistant

  • Students often use AI not just for academics but also as personal assistants and informal therapists.
  • AI serves as a ready resource to answer intimate or personal questions they might hesitate to ask others.
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