ChatGPT (and other LLMs) still cannot do (and probably never will) well in any consistent manner in physics. I don't think physics departments are worrying much about the AI. The only thing that can help students in a more reliable way is some coding projects. Which is okay because in most of these classes (computational physics) students are encouraged to work together, seek help and even ask on the internet (before ChatGPT…etc.) It was always about how to explain and describe the thinking. AI (at least in its current form) is very weak at the problem-solving aspects and in understanding concepts.
On the other hand, as non-native English speaker, it save me much time into paraphrasing my poorly thoughts and writing that I would need an hour to express in a good formal manner. It can guide you in some aspects of coding tasks, introduce you to some APIs …etc. This is actually a good tool that I agree that a good student (researcher) would use wisely to gain some knowledge and save sometime.
It will not help much with solving a cart on an inclined plane with some friction and a pendulum hanging from the cart. No, it will not be able to give you the normal modes.
This is just a personal experience and opinion, though. It might be completely different in other areas.
On the other hand, as non-native English speaker, it save me much time into paraphrasing my poorly thoughts and writing that I would need an hour to express in a good formal manner. It can guide you in some aspects of coding tasks, introduce you to some APIs …etc. This is actually a good tool that I agree that a good student (researcher) would use wisely to gain some knowledge and save sometime.
It will not help much with solving a cart on an inclined plane with some friction and a pendulum hanging from the cart. No, it will not be able to give you the normal modes.
This is just a personal experience and opinion, though. It might be completely different in other areas.