Why Are We So Worried About AI in Schools?

AI can’t be avoided—and the good news is, it’s not all that novel.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of embracing AI in schools. First, let’s explore two myths about AI.

 

Myth one: It’s new

Artificial intelligence itself has been around for a long time in tools many people use daily. Assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google use artificial intelligence and machine learning to better anticipate users’ needs, learn routines, and offer solutions to questions. A big reason generative AI is spooky to some is the misconception that it’s creating something new. In reality, AI can only take the things it’s already learned, arrange them in a different way, and then present them.

Digital equity does matter though. Generative AI is going to be a part of the future, and if students are unable to access AI using school-issued devices, the only students who will be able to practice using generative models such as Chat GPT will be students who can afford a personal device.

AI policy absolutely presents a headache for tech pros, but it’s no different than the challenges involved in providing equitable access to machines for all students.

 

Myth two: It’s scary

Because generative AI is relatively novel and popular in media, it’s attracted a lot of speculation. Speculation is designed to feel threatening and create a sense of urgency: Either to inspire faster adoption (the myth of scarcity or missing out) or to inspire extreme caution. However, as established already, AI is already a part of life. The potential for AI to misuse information it has learned is the looming threat—and there are ways to manage that.

Students must know what information is private, personal, and privileged, and how to manage their own data and information. Data is a precious resource. We know that because it inspires criminals to take it, especially from schools since student identity data is often pristine, unsullied by financial mishaps and credit scores. Not only that, data is openly sold and marketed as a regular part of life. Students are so used to this process their defenses default lower than they should.

AI can be scary when used by humans for nefarious reasons. But it’s not enough to only practice avoidance: students have to learn how to protect themselves and their personal data.

 

And now, a big truth: AI adoption is inevitable.

The inevitability adds its own sense of impending doom. Because we know there’s no stopping the process—the genie won’t return to the bottle, so to speak—there’s no choice but to accept and prepare students to use generative AI in life.

This creates a new batch of questions. We have to craft an AI policy, but we’ve never done it—what gets covered? How do we balance embracing new technology with protecting school networks and students?

Plus, we’ve seen the advent of new, world-changing tech many times before. We want to prevent similar fallout from social media, cell phones, infinite scroll, and other technology advancements that turned out to be harmful, addictive, and at times devastating.

Unfortunately, there’s no time to waste. As school leaders move to craft policy and guidance about artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, they’ll have to remain nimble and agile. Today’s AI policies will look vastly different five or ten years down the road: not worse, not better, just different.


 

Follow-up resource: Asking ChatGPT to write an AI policy

When asked, what does ChatGPT have to say about keeping students safe from—well, from itself?


 

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Erin Werra Blogger, Researcher, and Edvocate

Erin Werra is a content writer and strategist at Skyward’s Advancing K12 blog. Her writing about K12 edtech, data, security, social-emotional learning, and leadership has appeared in THE Journal, District Administration, eSchool News, and more. She enjoys puzzling over details to make K12 edtech info accessible for all. Outside of edtech, she’s waxing poetic about motherhood, personality traits, and self-growth.