Abstract
ChatGPT, launched by OpenAI (San Francisco, CA, USA) is a generative large language model (LLM) tool that processes natural language input by the user and produces personalised relevant response with a high degree of specificity. 1 The overwhelming growth of this artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool is due to its vast reserve of training dataset from trusted sources and the versatility of the functions performed. Recently, ChatGPT has been explored as a viable option in steering medical education that involves creation of quizzes, virtual patient simulation, summarisation of research articles, and in the generation of a curriculum for healthcare professionals. 2 An interview-based study discussed all the tasks performed by ChatGPT pertaining to medical education. 3 Furthermore, the accuracy of ChatGPT was found to be acceptable when tested on medical licensing exams. 4 The tool could thus be applied in dental education under similar principles. However, concerns associated with the usage of such a powerful AI tool need elaboration.
Dental applications of the language model are yet to be explored. In dental education, ChatGPT could play a tremendous role in providing a positive learning experience for dental students. Access to a vast source of information coupled with its speed could help during exam preparations. ChatGPT could explain dental concepts that are somewhat complicated to grasp, in a simple conversational manner. Students could benefit from the tool in carrying out research, which is often an integral component of healthcare programmes at undergraduate level. Having been trained with the data from journal articles, ChatGPT saves both time and effort and it could easily guide beginners through the process, providing meticulous conclusive information to the students collected from various sources.
The constantly evolving nature of dental curricula demands that students and practicing clinicians keep up with advancements in technology. ChatGPT could play an important role in updating students with recent news items relating to dental practice. It could assist students in creating a personalised learning experience through recommendations based on a student’s specific interests and identification of grey areas that need addressing. The tool’s ability to generate text-based patient simulations for problem-based learning could help students in developing critical thinking skills. The engagement seen with ChatGPT could prove to be valuable in promoting online learning.
The advantages, however, come with certain concerns regarding the accuracy of information provided, variability in the reproduction of information depending upon users’ prompts, and the reliability of the data provided concerning latest advancements. Therefore, the chatbot should be used with caution and under the supervision of senior professionals. Another concern is dependence of students on technology for every bit of information and task that could stifle their problem-solving ability, critical-thinking skills, original thinking, and memory or retention capacity. Prolonged interaction with the chatbot would affect social skills and learning from experience. These AI models could not approximate emotional intelligence and hence could have serious consequences for vulnerable users. The tool also poses security and privacy concerns wherein the search history, previous records of interactions, and personal information could be stored online. Misuse of ChatGPT for dental assignments violates good ethical practice and requires inspection through the use of machine-generated language detectors and plagiarism assessment tools.
In conclusion, ChatGPT could be viewed as a double-edged sword, with certain ethical concerns and limitations alongside the countless advantages. Balanced use of this technology is advocated where the tool should be used only as an aid to dental education. The AI tool cannot be used as a substitute to human interaction and didactic lectures by experienced professionals. Furthermore, dental clinical skills are acquired through practical experience, and ChatGPT has a restricted role in this learning process.
In light of the recent strides in AI and its vast potential to transform dental healthcare, integration of AI in the dental curriculum as an elective course is proposed.