Remember Nokia phones from the 1990s?
We all walked around with black bricks in our ears and little antennas held above our heads like miniature flagpoles.
In 10 or 20 years, we'll feel nostalgic about ChatGPT, just like we do about outdated Nokia phones.
Like mobile phones and the Internet, artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the way we explore, interact, and communicate with the world.
AI is rapidly being integrated into the fabric of our society, economy, and education.
AI is already changing the world of work
AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are driving online interactions. Social media algorithms shape our online experience by determining the content served in our feeds based on our interests and search history.
According to the World Economic Forum's latest jobs report, more than 75% of companies will implement AI technology by 2027 to increase efficiency and streamline processes, while creating entirely new jobs and desirable skill sets. .
AI healthcare aids are now being used to better personalize care, diagnose disease, and increase accessibility. Pharmacies are also using virtual assistants to manage prescriptions online, allowing pharmacists to focus on in-person care.
Industry is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, weighing its benefits and ethical dilemmas, but only a handful of states have issued guidance on the use of AI in K-12 settings. be.
Arizona is not among them.
Schools need to use AI, but how?
Join Northern Arizona University's Arizona Institute for Educational Economics (AIEE) to release “Generative Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education” on May 13th and host a webinar for educators on May 15th.
This guidance has support from the Arizona Department of Education and several statewide education and EdTech organizations and associations.
“We are not the AI Institute,” laughs Dr. Chad Gesson, former superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District and founding executive director of AIEE.
“We exist to fundamentally change the school system. AI needs to be part of the solution-oriented work we do. It’s critical to how we prepare our children for the future economy as they graduate into careers where AI is already embedded in the fabric of the workforce.”
Is AI a threat?why you should worry
K-12 public schools are grappling with the role AI can and should play in student learning. They aspire to the North Star and provide clear guidance and strategies for implementation.
The institute's publications bring together the work of more than 20 national researchers and reviewers based in Arizona and provide comprehensive content and guidance for Arizona educators. I am.
AI could fundamentally change education
“Yes, AI makes teachers' lives easier when it comes to planning and grading lessons,” explains Dr. LeeAnn Lindsey, director of EdTech and Innovation at the institute. “But that’s not the point. We need to fundamentally change the kinds of lessons we put in front of children so that they are prepared to live and interact in an increasingly AI-enabled world.
“Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to change the dynamics of education, giving students more agency and allowing them to take control of their learning,” Lindsay continues.
“Historically, teachers have been the holders of knowledge and passed it on to students. AI will shift that role, allowing teachers to better personalize each student’s learning and take on a role as a coach and facilitator. will be able to strengthen it.”
The use of AI in K-12 education is here.
With that comes ethical dilemmas around academic integrity, with educators having to answer questions such as what constitutes cheating, how to cite AI in academic papers, and many more.
Important question.
However, similar to mobile phones and the Internet, AI offers benefits that require educators to find answers in context, adopt clear guidelines and expectations, and communicate them to students and stakeholders within the school. To do.
The bottom line is that either we can control how AI shapes our schools and education systems, or it will happen. to not us, and we.
Rhonda Cagle is the founder of Leverage Consulting Agency, which serves educational and non-profit institutions. She is a member of the Arizona Republic's Contributors Board. Follow her on X (formerly her Twitter):@RhondaCagle1.