Many have mused on how ChatGPT could change the world, not least schools. The college essay has been pronounced dead. ChatGPT is causing an educational “crisis”, claims Inside Higher Ed. Maybe so; but ChatGPT could also be a teacher’s friend.

It is easier to see the threat. Users can ask ChatGPT to create a rap about Milton Friedman, and it delivers lines like: “He was an economist with a unique vision/Spittin’ truth about free markets with precision”. This sophistication and creativity worries lots of teachers and schools.

An assistant professor at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut argues that AI can push them to become better. For example, before ChatGPT came along, an economics teacher might ask pupils to write an essay describing Keynesianism. With ChatGPT as an option, the teacher might ask the students to assess and revise the chatbot’s response to the same question—a more difficult task. AIs have other practical uses for teachers. They can help write lesson plans and worksheets at different reading levels and even in different languages. They can also cut down the time spent on duties, such as writing recommendation letters, that devour time that could be spent teaching.

Some organizations are going even further. Khan Academy, an education non-profit, recently launched a pilot of Khanmigo, its virtual guide that uses GPT-4, the latest upgrade of ChatGPT, to support pupils and teachers. If pupils gets a wrong answer to a maths problem, the chatbot helps them solve it on their own. In science, the program evaluates open-ended questions. In English class, it asks pupils questions about their essays. And in history, a pupil can debate with the bot to prepare for an in-class discussion. It even allows pupils to “talk” to historical figures or literary characters via simulations. The program provides teachers with a report on their pupils’ activities. It can help teachers create lessons and test pupils’ knowledge afterwards.

For those in charge of school and college administrations, the benefits are clearer. David Harris, president of Union College, a liberal-arts college in New York state, showed examples that ChatGPT done—a letter to students about changing the campus mascot, an Instagram post for campus photos on spring break, a final warning for an employee with chronic lateness.

Dr Harris is excited about what all this could mean for college costs. Many universities will charge about $80,000 a year next year for tuition, room and board. In 2021 the median household income in America was $71,000. College administration in America has become bloated. AI could eliminate the need for some of these jobs, and maybe enable colleges to pass savings on to students. ChatGPT may have killed the college essay, but with all its potential in and out of the classroom, perhaps that is OK.

The example of Milton Friedman is used to illustrate________.