AI and the End of Programming as We Know It

A workshop led by

Brian Silverman and Artemis Papert

When:	January 6, 2024 10:00 AM to noon EDT
Where	everywhere via Zoom

This workshop will be a discussion about the impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on education, particularly computer programming in education. LLMs, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, have gained significant attention for their ability to generate human-like text and assist in various tasks. We will explore how LLMs can revolutionize computer science education by providing advanced coding assistance, generating code examples, and offering interactive learning experiences. We will examine the potential benefits of using LLMs including improved coding efficiency, enhanced problem-solving skills, and expanded access to programming knowledge. We will address ethical considerations and challenges associated with LLM usage in education to support greater understanding of their implications for teachers and students.

Before the workshop: You should create an account on ChatGPT and have a few conversations with it. Go to https://chat.openai.com/ to set up your account. You should have ChatGPT open and running during the workshop.

About the workshop leaders

• Since the late 1970s, Brian Silverman has been involved in the invention of learning environments for children. His work includes dozens of LOGO versions, LogoWriter and MicroWorlds among them, Scratch, LEGO® robotics, TurtleArt, the PicoCricket, and the Phantom Fish Tank. Brian has been a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Media Lab, enjoys recreational math, and is a computer scientist and master tinkerer. He once even built a tic-tac-toe playing computer out of TinkerToys.
• Artemis Papert is an artist creating art in both traditional, mainly acrylic and pastel, and digital media, using code as the medium. After a first career as a research biologist she retrained in the healing art of shiatsu and is also a Jungian psychoanalyst.