"Sick and twisted": American school blasted for using ChatGPT to craft email about shooting

A university in Nashville, Tennessee, has apologized after using ChatGPT to craft an email following a recent school shooting in Michigan.

According to the Vanderbilt Hustler, the Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion sent out an email earlier this month following a shooting at Michigan State University.

At the bottom of the email was a line about how ChatGPT was used for the messaging.

Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The email itself was rather vague and referenced “the Michigan shootings” despite there being only one shooting.

“There is a sick and twisted irony to making a computer write your message about community and togetherness because you can’t be bothered to reflect on it yourself,” Laith Kayat, a senior and Michigan native, said. https://t.co/JnzZQo2Ncm

— Vanderbilt Hustler (@VandyHustler) February 17, 2023

The Vanderbilt Hustler says the school has since apologized in a follow-up email, saying, “While we believe in the message of inclusivity expressed in the email, using ChatGPT to generate communications on behalf of our community in a time of sorrow and in response to a tragedy contradicts the values that characterize Peabody College.”

It goes on to say, “As with all new technologies that affect higher education, this moment gives us all an opportunity to reflect on what we know and what we still must learn about AI.”

The deans at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College have now announced they are stepping back from their roles.

“I am also deeply troubled that a communication from my administration so missed the crucial need for personal connection and empathy during a time of tragedy,” Peabody Dean Camila Benbow said in the Feb. 18 email. https://t.co/QrSjWKp6vR

— Vanderbilt Hustler (@VandyHustler) February 19, 2023

Since the original email, social media users have put the school on blast on social media, with one user calling this situation “grotesque.”

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