Reshaping the Teacher-Student Relationship in Higher Education Through ChatGPT

Abstract

The rapid progress in artificial intelligence, especially with advancements in generative AI such as ChatGPT within Natural Language Processing (NLP), has introduced both new opportunities and challenges for traditional teaching models and the teacher-student relationship in higher education. ChatGPT's advanced deep learning and NLP capabilities have overcome limitations inherent in conventional teacher-student interactions, such as one-way communication and geographical constraints, and have promoted the growth of personalized teaching. This innovation has fostered a learning environment where "Everyone can be a teacher, every place can be a classroom, and teaching can happen at any time". However, this technology also brings challenges, including greater reliance on technology, diminished emotional connections between teachers and students, and issues related to algorithmic transparency. This paper examines ChatGPT's application in higher education, analyzing its effects on evolving teaching and learning models and the transformation of teacher-student relationships. By employing the “teacher-student-AI” triadic interaction model, the study highlights the significance of human-machine collaboration. It aims to optimize AI's self-learning processes, enhance human-centered education, and advance intelligent education in a more efficient and empathetic direction, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for transforming teacher-student relationships and improving undergraduate education standards.