Next time your child comes home reporting that their teacher is acting robotic, you might want to hear them out. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of modern education, prompting parents and educators to consider the risks involved in the widespread implementation of AI in the classroom. According to a Forbes survey from June 2024, 60% of educators already use AI tools in their curriculum.
While the benefits of AI are exciting, the challenges and pitfalls of its widespread use are cause for concern. Data privacy, biases in AI algorithms, and the risk of job displacement for educators are already shaking up the state of modern education. The quality of education depends on responsible AI implementation, addressing ethical considerations, and ensuring equitable access, but considering AI is still in its infancy, here are some disadvantages of AI use in education:
- Lack of Privacy = Digital Piracy: How data is collected and analyzed to create AI systems raises privacy concerns, encouraging strict measures to safeguard sensitive information from hackers and phishers.
- Overdependence on Technology: Some experts believe AI may diminish critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in students.
- Potential for Bias: Some AI algorithms may inadvertently perpetuate biases present in training data, leading to unequal educational opportunities and mixed outcomes for different groups of students.
- Teacher and Student Resistance: With any change, some are reluctant. The resistance to new tech from parents or among teachers and students can hinder how effectively schools can roll out AI use. According to a RAND report from April 2024, already 60% of districts in the U.S. plan to train teachers about AI use by the end of the 2023–2024 school year.
"Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of modern education, prompting parents and educators to consider the risks involved in the widespread implementation of AI in the classroom."
Since the onset of the 20th century, dreamers and science fiction nerds have lauded AI’s arrival. AI tools are not going anywhere anytime soon. The AI industry and our education leaders are already collaborating on how to best introduce AI in the classrooms. Below are some ideas for ways students can use AI responsibly.
- Finding the Right Tools: To protect the learning experience, it is essential for educational AI applications to implement barriers and detectors that will discourage plagiarism. More teachers are beginning to rely on AI content detection tools to identify when students use AI or plagiarize in their assignments.
- Research Made Better: The process students and teachers conduct research can be simplified with tools that quickly retrieve relevant reference materials from extensive databases. This almost immediate integration of research into students' essays can save time while ensuring their writing remains original and their understanding of the topic deepens. It can also help mitigate misinformation, ensuring students receive accurate and reliable information.
- Parent + Teacher Transparency: Giving educators the transparency to monitor how students interact with AI can help create an additional layer of protection against potential misuse.
AI can greatly benefit education by optimizing processes, improving learning outcomes, and preparing students for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. AI's success hinges on a balance between exciting technological advancements and preserving the essential human elements in education. At Keenan, we collaborate with several subject matter experts in school districts and can provide valuable insight and key solutions.
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