CS1 with a Side of AI: Teaching Software Verification for Secure Code in the Era of Generative AICC
As AI-generated code promises to become an increasingly relied upon tool for software developers, there is a temptation to call for significant changes to early computer science curricula. A move from syntax-focused topics in CS1 toward abstraction and high-level application design seems motivated by the new large language models (LLMs) recently made available. In this position paper however, we advocate for an approach more informed by the AI itself - teaching early CS learners not only how to use the tools but also how to better understand them. Novice programmers leveraging AI-code-generation without proper understanding of syntax or logic can create “black box” code with significant security vulnerabilities. We outline methods for integrating basic AI knowledge and traditional software verification steps into CS1 along with LLMs, which will better prepare students for software development in professional settings.
Thu 21 MarDisplayed time zone: Pacific Time (US & Canada) change
13:45 - 15:00 | LLM - Teaching CS1/CS2Papers at Oregon Ballroom 204 Chair(s): Suzanne Matthews United States Military Academy | ||
13:45 25mTalk | Teaching CS50 with AI: Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence in Computer Science EducationGlobalMSICC Papers Rongxin Liu Harvard University, Carter Zenke Harvard University, Charlie Liu Yale University, Andrew Holmes Harvard University, Patrick Thornton Harvard University, David J. Malan Harvard University DOI | ||
14:10 25mTalk | Prompt Problems: A New Programming Exercise for the Generative AI EraGlobalCC Papers Paul Denny The University of Auckland, Juho Leinonen Aalto University, James Prather Abilene Christian University, Andrew Luxton-Reilly The University of Auckland, Thezyrie Amarouche University of Toronto Scarborough, Brett Becker University College Dublin, Brent Reeves Abilene Christian University DOI | ||
14:35 25mTalk | CS1 with a Side of AI: Teaching Software Verification for Secure Code in the Era of Generative AICC Papers DOI |