Useful or harmful? How has education in 2023

When artificial intelligence went to the general public with the public release of Chatgpt in November 2022, it immediately sent undulations to the world of education. Concerns about equity in AI, data confidentiality and how to teach the ethical skills of AI have become animated subjects during faculty meetings and in classrooms. Two things have become clear: this technology already transforms education – and people have many questions.

Science Friday welcomed a virtual conversation With experts in AI and education in October 2023 to understand the potential of AI for education and some of the traps to face with regard to schools in the country. Although the path to follow can be difficult and sometimes confusing, our guests suggest that by allowing students to direct them and guide them to use AI in a responsible manner, education should benefit from innovative tools that will change without No doubt our world. Here, we are recaping some of the ideas and ideas that have come out of this conversation.

Just the right amount of regulation

A recurring theme around AI in education is that students could use these generative tools to complete their tasks, in particular written work. The educators fear that students will not be able to acquire essential skills if it becomes too easy to distort the work generated by the machine as theirs. In addition to concerns that this use can contribute to cheatingIt is as well known as AI can “hallucinate” By returning a disinformation that can mislead students. Consequently, many schools have completely prohibited the generating AI. But is it realistic?

The answer is no, explains Sebastian Rao, a senior from the Magnetic School of Virginia Stem who studied the use of AI by the students. Instead, he advocates AI policies that provide “railings” to students and educators to make technology accessible but provide appropriate borders. “How can we structure a classroom that uses (ia)?” Request rao. He says that the emphasis should be to carefully integrate AI technology into classrooms so that students can use it to improve their education and develop new skills.

When schools place strict prohibitions on AI, students (and educators) can be confused and uncertain of what they can and cannot use. “We have a moment now in education,” notes Andy Forest, founder and executive director of Steamlabs, a non -profit organization focused on innovation around education and equitable access to the STEM. “AI tools are suddenly so capable and competent that they are completely disturb education. “Many students use AI in a way of educators and administrators did not plan, aggravating the problem of regulating their use in class. Meanwhile, technology is evolving quickly and is integrated into a Range of constantly increasing tools.

Academic tools like Grammar Now use AI, as are search engines like Google and Bing. Khan Academy recently published a free tutoring application for AI, KhanmigoTo provide individual tutoring and homework assistance to students who could otherwise have access to a live tutor, offering academic equity to low -income learners. “Many students don’t really know what to think of many of these technologies. Some are confused, you know: “What does AI mean?” Does it cheat in certain circumstances? “Explains Rao.

Rather than frame the use of AI as cheating, the American Department of Education Integrates AI into the policy because technology allows educators to support students with a precious and personalized approach to learning. Know how to use efficient and ethically AI will be necessary for future students’ careers. Even the White House is on board. President Biden wrote in A recent decree This AI will make the world “more prosperous, productive, innovative and secure”.

Change is never easy

The AI ​​will almost certainly change the appearance of education in class, just as computers and the Internet did decades ago. Krystal Chatman, facilitator of educational technology in the Jackson public school district in Jackson, Mississippi, believes that educators must develop a state of growth And let students play a leadership role in politics and implementation. “(B) e afort at ease to take a rear seat to the competent student,” advises Catman of the educators. “You are used to being the person they are looking for knowledge, but teaching them that they can also be experts offers them a skill that will lead them throughout life.”

Students must be part of the discussion to understand digital citizenship And where the limits are between, for example, using a tool to reflect and be academically dishonest. AI cannot and will not replace human educators. Students will always need adult guides to help them use AI safely. The key to implementation will be Develop a nuanced approach Where the policy creates an environment that protects students’ privacy and ensures academic integrity.

For all its advantages, AI technology presents challenges that go beyond cheating or ethics. Many parents, educators and students Concerned about confidentiality and security When using AI tools. Forest explains that government regulations on data confidentiality and intellectual property I did not make up for the explosion of AI applications available. “(J) UST ask continuously …” What are they doing with my data? ” The more you know about the AI ​​and how it can use your data, the better because you can then assess these policies, “he said.

There are also many concerns about disparities Created by AI for minorized racial students, disabled students and multilingual students. Rao explains that students are Concerned with AI detectors Because the software can wrongly label written works as generated by AII when they are not, especially for people whose main language is not English. This can lead to certain students who are unjustly accused of cheating, which can derail their education or subject them to stigma. However, AI detectors can be improved and trained on various texts to be more representative and inclusive. “Hold these responsible companies,” explains Rao.

Catman agrees and suggests that any accusation of cheating with AI must include humans who can intervene and ensure that accusations do not do any useless or unfair to students. “I know my students better than any platform,” she says. Perhaps the most important, Catman stresses that Students must defend for their rights and pave the way. “(W) hen there is a meeting of the school board, you can speak directly to the superintendent, with your school director, your school leadership. Ask them, “How do you protect us?” »»

Are you curious to learn more about the role of artificial intelligence in education? Scientific Friday welcomed “YES! You can use AI for your homework (and other things too)To explore how artificial intelligence changes education. You can Look at the whole discussion On Youtube.