Episode 35

Intern Elizabeth Kirsch Introduces ChatGPT

In this episode, Graduate Intern Elizabeth Kirsch breaks down what ChatGPT is, how it works, and what it means for our cultural, ethical, and educational landscapes. With clear definitions of key terms like LLM, transformer models, and context windows, she explores the evolution of ChatGPT from version 3 to 4o, and what makes each iteration unique. She highlights public perceptions, scholarly critiques, and ethical concerns such as environmental impact, bias, and human integrity. Finally, she brings it home to the humanities classroom, showing how ChatGPT can support—but not replace—educators. A must-watch for anyone navigating AI in education.