While most of us are focused on the negative usage of artificial intelligence powered software, and how they demean and destroy humanistic traditions and values, we forget to pay attention to other lighter connotations. If we start seeing AI as a tool and not a means, then we can manipulate the features of the software to function in a manner that benefits human productivity and not overpowers it. Gamification is one such phenomena that is gaining traction speedily.
Gamification is the process of adding gaming elements to areas that have little to no gaming context. It uses to its advantage the vices that deem online gaming so addictive to the human brain - it makes simple tasks a little more challenging and not so mundane, thus boosting user engagement and getting the adrenaline pumping.
How does AI help Gamify?
It is to be noted that while the gamification concept has existed for centuries, it is only recently that we have been able to give a name to this phenomenon. Neurodivergent brains have been found to automatically gamify tasks that are dull and non-stimulating, allowing the person to add layers of “reward systems” or “scoreboards” to a simple task such as dish-washing or laundry in order to make it more interesting to a dopamine dependant brain. However it is not only neurodivergent people, but everyone, whose brains are heavily dependent on the happy hormone - some people are just more than others. Gamification helps a brain always looking for outlets for “fun” to plow through “non-fun” tasks in a relatively easy manner.
Just like the Boy Scouts have reward levels and badges for every task completed or skill acquired, or how puppies are trained to sit using treat kibbles, assigning incentive that is physical or visual in nature provides positive reinforcement to the brain.
In recent years, gamification has been closely associated with artificial intelligence tools. It is easy to understand why - ask yourself why it is more rewarding to prompt ChatGPT than spend fifteen more minutes scrolling through links on Google. The answer comes down to a faster reward (here, the answer to the prompt) time and an interface which is more gamelike. A single input leads to a fast output relating closely to the input given. It appeases our dopamine craving the same way clicking the mouse to lead us to a whole new webpage does, but the AI software is even speedier.
How to Gamify with AI
Gamification has the potential to change the way that we do simple tasks, including basic learning. In this example, we have employed the use of ChatGPT to “gamify” a few tasks. The first one can be used for teaching children, whose brains crave dopamine at a more rapid rate than most adult brains. In this example, we are attempting to gamify teaching the multiplication table of seven.
Thus, using only two simple prompts, the tedious task of remembering multiplication tables has been gamified to make it fun, interesting and stimulating for the learner. This game can be played again and again till the learning is completed and replicated for any other multiplication table or basic learning. However, it also does not necessarily need to be restricted to children’s education, as ChatGPT has the tools to make quizlets, questionnaires and multiple choice questions for a huge variety of topics. If the prompt asking to make a quizlet on any topic is elevated by asking the software to integrate a point system, then the task is automatically gamified.
Apart from academic learning, this same feature can be exploited to aid in everyday mundane tasks. We asked ChatGPT to gamify laundry day chores as well.
Thus, a tiresome and boring task such as doing one’s laundry can be made infinitely more interesting by treating it like an imaginary competition, using deadlines and scoring systems. However, the main factor here is that the person employing this should have enough suspension of belief and not take themselves too seriously to enjoy having fun while doing their chores. It requires an active and imaginary mind, and an eagerness to do their tasks while thinking outside of the box.
However, it is also to be noted that while ChatGPT remains the most accessed generative AI tool on the internet, other tools such as Gemini and Copilot are equally convenient, if not more, at gamifying tasks. In fact, experts recommend Gemini as the AI tool best suited for gamification purposes, as of 2024.
As seen from the given prompt and consequent response, while ChatGPT follows a more straightforward approach to gamification, Gemini takes the liberty to make the gamification process more appealing to the creative mind. The details provided upon proving the generative AI with the same prompt is also more in the case of Gemini, as it adds several variables such as time limits, bonuses as well as a “what you need” section which streamlines tasks for neurodivergent people, children, and for anyone looking to not go through another monotonous chore day.
Conclusion
Business models and companies have even started adopting gamification in various unique methods, such as to boost revenue, assessing job candidates through quick wit and problem solving abilities, and even training new recruits. Gamification can help learners feel more motivated, gain rewards and learn while not being bored out of their mind.
However, one must also not get overly dependent on generative AI tools for their daily tasks. While softwares such as ChatGPT and Gemini provide instantaneous and accurate results, it should ideally only be used as a stepping stool for gamification, or as inspiration. Customizing this process for oneself not only reduces dependency on artificial intelligence, but also keeps one's own creative and rationalization skills active. Adding on, the diversity of each person's work patterns and productivity cannot possibly be captured by a single software, thus being involved in the game design process would further increase productivity.
In an era tackling the issue of ethical and fair usage of AI tools, it seems up to the user to keep their morals intact while interacting with such technology. Gamification seems one princess through which, while not discarding the valuable developments in the artificial intelligence field, we keep our own creativity and reasoning skills intact - in fact, AI actively helps us to do so. A lot of technologists are looking into this field with new found interest in the post-ChatGPT world (gIML or gamification of interactive machine learning) as it may just be the solution to a lot of our AI-caused issues. In this way, AI sharpens our human brains, instead of dulling it.
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