Educational organizations are cashing in on the commercial side of AI by announcing ChatGPT certifications.
The Dallas Express was first made aware of these programs on August 12 through an email advertisement from EducationAdminWebAdvisor, a CareerLearning company, titled “Prepare for elevated success in 2024: Earn your ChatGPT Certification in Higher Ed Today!”
The advertisement tempts readers by exclaiming, “Seize the opportunity now! Dive into our vital four-part webinar series- an essential certificate program tailored for faculty, advisors, deans, and all university staff! Secure your Higher Ed ChatGPT Certification today and lead confidently into the future of academic excellence!”
An attached article within the EducationAdminWebAdvisor advertisement states that “this program will empower you with a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT tailored for higher education in just one week,” and participants will be able to do the following:
- Explore ChatGPT fundamentals
- Unlock the potential of ChatGPT teaching strategies in higher ed
- Implement ChatGPT syllabus policies effectively
- Craft advanced policies for higher education institutions
- Elevate your ChatGPT knowledge as an educator
While the program targets university faculty and staff, other programs appear to be for a broader audience. DX Googled the phrase “ChatGPT certification.” One of the first search results was for a program titled “UT Austin’s Certificate in AI.”
This program promises pupils will “Become an AI expert” through “a curriculum designed by the faculty at UT Austin McCombs School of Business.”
Moreover, it will allow students and working professionals to “Work on popular AI tools & technologies, Apply AI techniques across Industries, Build an Industry-ready portfolio,” and develop other skills identified elsewhere in the program’s informational material.
This initiative comes as universities appear to be fighting a battle against large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT.
Numerous students have been accused of using tools such as ChatGPT to write all or part of their essays. As such, new questions surrounding plagiarism and the place of AI in education have come to the forefront.
Nevertheless, the idea that programs are already forming around ChatGP, which has only been widely available and well-known to the public since early 2023, may come as a shock.
In an experiment of curiosity, DX asked ChatGPT to take a position on the merits of getting a ChatGPT certification from an educational institution in 2024.
ChatGPT was confident that the move could be valuable to workers.
“Obtaining a ChatGPT certification from an educational institution in 2024 can be a strategic move for professionals seeking to enhance their AI literacy and leverage ChatGPT in various fields,” the LLM stated. “The certification validates expertise in using this advanced AI tool, offering a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market where AI integration is becoming increasingly essential. However, the value of the certification will depend on the institution’s reputation and the practical skills imparted through the program.”
However, its competitor, Google Gemini, was not so certain.
“While a ChatGPT certification could be valuable for those seeking roles directly related to ChatGPT development, its overall worth in 2024 is questionable. The rapid evolution of the field means practical experience with the technology may be more valuable than formal certification. For those with broader AI or NLP aspirations, focusing on foundational knowledge and general-purpose large language models might be a more strategic approach,” responded Google Gemini.
The AI search assistant available on X, called Grok, was more enthusiastic and reflected ChatGPT’s views.
Given the same prompt as the other models, Grok stated, “In 2024, obtaining a ChatGPT certification from a reputable educational institution can significantly enhance your professional profile, especially in fields that rely heavily on AI and natural language processing. This certification demonstrates your proficiency in using ChatGPT effectively, which can open doors to new job opportunities and career advancement. Moreover, it equips you with the skills to leverage the latest advancements in AI technology, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field.”