It's hard to imagine a more perfect analogy than "university uses unthinking, unfeeling robot to write joyless and pointless diversity mailer." But here it is:
Vanderbilt University has apologized for using artificial intelligence to write a 297-word email to students after the Michigan State University mass shooting, causing two deans to temporarily step down.
The Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion sent students an email on February 16 reminding them to 'take care of each other' after the MSU shooting.
Although the email came off as kind and caring and offered students ways to help promote a caring environment with their peers, at the very bottom, it revealed it wasn't written by a human.
'Paraphrase from OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model, personal communication, February 15, 2023,' it read.
Just perfect.
To be honest, though, this is actually really impressive. The AI absolutely captured the tone, feel and content of the diversity industry. It's like it was written by a real live Coordinator for Equity, Healing and Racial Reconciliation:
Dear Peabody Family:
The recent Michigan shootings are a tragic reminder of the importance of taking care of each other, particularly in the context of creating inclusive environments. As members of the Peabody campus community, we must reflect on the impact of such an event and take steps to ensure that we are doing our best to create a safe and inclusive environment for all.
One of the key ways to promote a culture of care on our campus is through building strong relationships with one another. This involves actively engaging with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, listening to their stories, and showing empathy and support. We can also look out for one another by noticing signs of distress and offering support to those who may be struggling with mental health issues.
Another important aspect of creating an inclusive environment is to promote a culture of respect and understanding. This means valuing the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and identities on our campus, and actively working to create a space where everyone feels welcomed and supported. We can do this by listening to one another, seeking out new perspectives, and challenging our own assumptions and biases.
Finally, we must recognize that creating a safe and inclusive environment is an ongoing process that requires ongoing effort and commitment. We must continue to engage in conversations about how we can do better, learn from our mistakes, and work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
In the wake of the Michigan shootings, let us come together as a community to reaffirm our commitment to caring for one another and promoting a culture of inclusivity on our campus. By doing so, we can honor the victims of this tragedy and work towards a safer, more compassionate future for all.
Just amazing.
Three hundred words of pure drivel, empty rhetoric signifying absolutely nothing.
It's indistinguishable from 100% of the stuff that emerges from diversity offices.
(There's a reason we call the wokies "NPCs")
The university community was none too impressed, meanwhile:
'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,' he told the Vanderbilt Hustler, the student newspaper. ...
Samuel Lu, a sophomore, told the student paper: 'It's hard to take a message seriously when I know that the sender didn't even take the time to put their genuine thoughts and feelings into word ...'
