Vanderbilt University 'Diversity' Deans Used ChatGPT to Write Letter Grieving MSU Mass Shooting

A note at the bottom of a Feb. 16 email from the Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion regarding the recent shooting at Michigan State University stated that the message had been written using ChatGPT, an AI text generator.

Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Nicole Joseph sent a follow-up, apology email to the Peabody community on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. CST. She stated using ChatGPT to write the initial email was "poor judgment."

"While we believe in the message of inclusivity expressed in the email, using ChatGPT to generate communications on behalf of our community in a time of sorrow and in response to a tragedy contradicts the values that characterize Peabody College," the follow-up email reads. "As with all new technologies that affect higher education, this moment gives us all an opportunity to reflect on what we know and what we still must learn about AI."

Laith Kayat, a senior, is from Michigan, and his younger sister attends MSU. He stated that the EDI Office's use of ChatGPT in drafting its email is "disgusting," a sentiment that Bethanie Stauffer ('22) emphasized.

"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," Stauffer said.

[...] "They release milquetoast, mealymouthed statements that really say nothing whenever an issue arises on or off campus with real political and moral stakes," [Senior Jackson Davis] said. "I consider this more of a mask-off moment than any sort of revelation about the disingenuous nature of academic bureaucracy."

[...] "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 words," [sophomore Samuel Lu] said. "In times of tragedies such as this, we need more, not less humanity."