By Soham Chausalkar
Almost all students at one point have encountered the immense capability of AI and its uses in educational settings. In response to this, many schools have implemented policies that restrict the use of AI tools in educational settings through harsh punishments. But we have to ask the practicality of this decision.
The topic of how AI should be taught in schools is controversial, but it is evident that we have to reach a certain conclusion in the near future. As the use of AI grows more prominent in various fields, it will become necessary for individuals to possess a certain degree of AI literacy. I predict that this kind of literacy will go above and beyond being beneficial and will become a necessity to thrive in our society.
If we neglect to teach AI, it’s akin to someone not learning to use a computer. The impact on skill growth would be significant in both cases. Students cannot learn to use a computer if they never use it, right? This means that in order to teach AI in schools, we would need to use AI in educational settings. This idea goes against the status quo, which mainly revolves around the hysteria that AI will somehow negatively alter human cognitive growth in students.
Biesta’s Theory of Education1
Consideration of the goals of education, as proposed by Biesta, can help assess the role of AI in schools:
- Understanding: Gaining Knowledge and Skills
- Socialization: Assimilation of individuals into a society
- “Subjectification”: Where individuals gain the ability to become independent and autonomous by making their own decisions and thriving in society.
How does the introduction of AI satisfy these goals? Individuals gain an understanding of AI, which is a skill that they will use in real-life settings in a variety of ways, whether it is a job that requires you to use AI or simply the process of finding information for yourself. AI can personalize learning for a student.
The relationship between the second goal of education and the introduction of AI in schools is complex. While AI use may diminish opportunities for interpersonal interaction, it also offers ways to foster collaboration and combine AI-assisted research with group activities, group projects, and virtual environments. This process allows students to share insights and collectively construct knowledge.
For the third goal, it is hard to draw a clear line between good and bad, as there are both good and bad things that can affect individual freedom due to the introduction of AI in schools. On one hand, it could ease the process of navigating the world, thus making individuals more independent and autonomous. On the other hand, the process of making them independent could make them too dependent on AI.2
In summary, determining the unequivocal impact of introducing this technology into schools is challenging. However, the true benefits will only be realized if we take the initiative to give it a chance. Every innovation carries inherent risks, but historically, embracing risks for the greater good has led to profound advancements. By proceeding cautiously, addressing issues, and focusing on the positive aspects of AI in education, I am confident that it will ultimately prove to be a worthwhile investment.
Soham is an 11th-grade student at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. He is interested in executing relevant projects to solve real-life problems using STEM fundamentals, data analysis, and machine learning. Soham enjoys listening to music and playing with his friends. His ultimate goal is to expand his knowledge of various AI techniques and concepts related to machine learning.
(1) Biesta’s Theory of Education: Portin, Fredrik. “The Diplomatic Teacher: The Purpose of the Teacher in Gert Biesta’s Philosophy of Education in Dialogue with the Political Philosophy of Bruno Latour.” Studies in Philosophy and Education, vol. 39, no. 5, 12 Mar. 2020, pp. 533–548
(2) Impact of AI on Students: Seo, Kyoungwon, et al. “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Learner–Instructor Interaction in Online Learning.” International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 18, no. 1, 26 Oct. 2021, pp. 1–23
- Students Using AI to Cheat: Prothero, Arianna. “New Data Reveal How Many Students Are Using AI to Cheat.” Education Week, 25 Apr. 2024