Blog #8 - Diffusion Theory on AI

    Diffusion Theory can be defined as looking at different reasons why a new invention is adapted by society and the rate its popularity grows. With great recent advances in technology, new inventions are abled to be studied through Diffusion Theory as its important to understand how new technological advances spread so fast through society. For instance, AI is great to look at through Diffusion Theory because of how recent its been brought to the public's attention and how much it has grown in recent years. 

Diffusion Theory Model

    Early adapters of AI are those who were first brought onto the scene. These are people who had more advanced technology available to them and likely used AI to build its programming, find specific and discrete information, or other various corporations and businesses who had access to AI and needed quick access to information. 

 

  Early majority are more likely those who found ChatGPT earlier in its history, likely around 2019/2020. Many students are those who were part of the early majority as AI chatbots like ChatGPT were able to assist with giving academic information, as well as to help with formatting and writing papers and essays. A majority of businesses who were not part of the early adapters are also part of this early majority as many businesses use chatbots to help with finding information, planning, and giving ideas and advice.

    While many people find AI incredibly helpful, especially those part of early adapters and early majority, it also received scrutiny for diminishing creativity and finding out information the more difficult way. People will argue that AI makes it too easy to find out information and it will cause humans to begin relying on it for all sources of info. 

    Personally, I think AI and chatbots such as ChatGPT are fantastic for a multitude of reasons, but its crucial that we do not fully rely on it. I will use ChatGPT to help with formatting papers, finding out non academic information, and give me ideas both in and out of the classroom. I think that AI finders that professors use are excellent because they help keep students honest and having academic integrity, but thats not to say that AI shouldn't be able to help out with certain academic aspects.