Read other stories from the "These stories were not AI-generated" special edition here.
At the UF College of Journalism and Communications, we are taught to embrace artificial intelligence. At Universidad Carlos III of Madrid, AI is treated as taboo.
In my most recent semester at UF, a lot of my class syllabuses stated the use of AI was permitted when appropriate and when properly disclosed. In Madrid, all of my syllabuses strictly prohibit the use of AI in any form.
Regardless, I’ve noticed the growing use of AI throughout my time studying in Madrid, among both exchange and Spanish students.
If the professor asks a question for discussion, I see at least five students in a 50-person lecture immediately plug it into ChatGPT. This has made discussions feel way more robotic and less human. Conversation doesn’t flow, and sometimes logic doesn’t, either.
The main differences I see between AI use at UF versus UC3M can be attributed to three main things: lack of engagement from exchange students, different class structures and evolving use.
Lack of engagement
It’s no secret that the stereotypical exchange student is enrolled in a “fake school.” That is certainly not the case with UC3M. Attendance and participation matter, and the grading scale is tough.
The American exchange students I know travel most weekends, and work can pile up while procrastination persists. AI offers a quick and easy way to catch up and stay on track.
Different class structures
At UF, most of my classes each semester are journalism classes. In an age where the field must embrace and not fight AI, journalism students are taught to use it with discretion and disclosures, never replacing human judgment.
The guidelines are strict, but it is rarely forbidden.
I am only taking one journalism course at UC3M, and the rest are political science classes. These courses rely more on traditional lectures and theory-heavy material.
In these course settings, a strict ban on AI aligns more with how the class is structured.
Evolving use
But, perhaps the difference between the two environments is that there is no difference at all. In the months I’ve been gone, it’s possible that AI has further developed and taken a more active role in American education. I could have yet to see it when I return in August.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her travels on Instagram @shaine_in_spain.
Shaine Davison is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental science. She has previously served as the editor of the enterprise desk and reporter for university and sports desks. This semester, she will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
