Two 'lazy' Vanderbilt University deans are suspended after they used ChatGPT to write 297-word email to students about deadly mass shooting at Michigan State

  • Vanderbilt's Peabody Office of Equity, Diversion and Inclusion emailed students on Feb. 16, reminding them to 'take care of each other' after the MSU shooting
  • At the bottom, it revealed it was written by AI: 'Paraphrase from OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model, personal communication, February 15, 2023' 
  • The two deans who signed off on the email - Nicole Joseph and Hasina Mohyuddin - have temporarily stepped down while the school investigates 

By ALYSSA GUZMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

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 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. 

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence software that is capable of producing large amounts of text by giving the generator writing suggestions, where it pulls from ten of thousands of datasets to produce written content. 

The email caused disgust among students, including Laith Kayat, who is from Michigan and has a sister who attends MSU. 

'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. 

Vanderbilt senior Laith Kayat, whose sister also attends MSU, said using ChatGPT to write a sensitive note was, 'disgusting'.

On February 16, the Vanderbilt's Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion sent students an email reminding them to 'take care of each other' after the MSU shooting

On February 16, the Vanderbilt's Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion sent students an email reminding them to 'take care of each other' after the MSU shooting

Although the email came off as kind and caring, 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

Although the email came off as kind and caring, 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 

'[Administrators] only care about perception and their institutional politics of saving face,' he continued. 'Deans, provosts, and the chancellor: Do more. Do anything. And lead us into a better future with genuine, human empathy, not a robot.' 

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. In times of tragedies such as this, we need more, not less humanity.' 

Since the outrage begun, two deans who signed off on the email - Nicole Joseph and Hasina Mohyuddin - have temporarily stepped down while the Peabody EDI office 'reviews' the situation, Peabody's Dean of Education Camilla P. Benbow said in a statement. 

Benbow claimed the 'development and distribution' of the email 'did not follow Peabody's normal processes,' nor was she or other university administrators aware of the email 'before it was sent.' 

Nicole Joseph, who signed off on the email, has temporarily stepped down while the Peabody EDI office 'reviews' the situation
Hasina Mohyuddin has also stepped down

The two deans who signed off on the email - Nicole Joseph (left) and Hasina Mohyuddin (right) - have temporarily stepped down while the Peabody EDI office 'reviews' the situation. Joseph sent a follow-up email to students the next day to apologize for the 'bad judgment' 

Benbow insisted she remains 'personally saddened by the loss of life and injuries at Michigan State' and was so 'deeply troubled that a communication from my administration so missed the crucial need for personal connection and empathy during a time of tragedy.' 

Joseph, before she temporarily stepped down, sent a follow-up email to students on February 17, apologizing to students for the 'poor judgment' of the office to use AI to write the email. 

'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,' her email read, according to Buzzfeed News. 

'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.' 

Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, killed three students on February 13 at MSU before turning the gun on himself. 

Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, killed three students Feb 13 at MSU before turning gun on himself

Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, killed three students on February 13 at MSU before turning the gun on himself.

Alexandria Verner was killed in the MSU shooting
Brian Fraser was killed in the shooting
Arielle Diamond was killed in the shooting

Alexandria Verner (left), Brian Fraser (middle), and Arielle Diamond (right) were killed in the shooting 

McRae killed three and left five students injured on Monday during the massacre, before turning the gun on himself after a four-hour shooting spree

He terrorized the students for four hours on campus, killing Brian Fraser, 20, Arielle Diamond Anderson, 19, and Alexandria 'Alex' Verner. 

Alexandria 'Alex' Verner, a 2020 graduate of Clawson High School, was a biology and anthropology junior at MSU and set to graduate in 2024.

Brian Fraser, 20, graduated from Grosse Pointe South and was studying business at MSU.

Flavor of Love reality TV star Deelishis revealed her niece, Arielle Diamond Anderson, 19, was the third victim.

The three were killed and five others were injured when McRae opened fire at 8.18pm. 

Vanderbilt AI generated email: Full statement

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.

(Paraphrase from OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model, personal communication, February 15, 2023).

Warmly, 

Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Nicole Joseph, Associate Dean

Hasina Mohyuddin, Assistant Dean

Chenxi Zhu, Graduate Assistant

Peabody Administration Building, Room 217b

AI

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