Artificial intelligence (AI), a technology quickly integrating into many industries, has educators excited and concerned. AI tools like personalized learning and automated grading will majorly impact the educational landscape. The response of educators and educational institutions to this technological advancement is mixed. Others need to be more skeptical about its impact on academic integrity and education. As college students finish their first semester, they are using AI.

AI has the potential to significantly impact education in the future, from automated grading to personalized learning. But it will only be with some effort.

AI and Education: The State of the Art

The debate about AI in education is a mixture of excitement and caution.

Some universities and online courses, such as Great Learning, use cloud computing program to enhance learning.

According to a survey of 386 Harvard faculty members, nearly half (47%) believed that artificial intelligence will negatively impact higher education. (source)

Many professors find AI difficult to understand, and students will use AI to cheat. Does it interfere with learning? Is the information reliable?

Quizlet’s State of AI in Education Report provides some valuable insights.

• Two-thirds (67%) of the students surveyed found AI a valuable study tool.
• Students said that it helped them understand the material.
• ChatGPT and other AI-based technologies were more common among students who said they studied three hours a night or more. This suggests that students should start using ChatGPT as a quick fix rather than a tool for enhancing their learning.
• Nearly half of students (47%) say AI has positively affected their learning.
• AI is a topic that has excited both teachers and students, but only 39% were enthusiastic.
• AI is an instrument that 49% claim has improved their work.
• Teachers mainly use AI for lesson planning, data collection and preparing classroom materials, such as tests and homework.

Students interviewed in Conversation also confirm these statistics.

One student stated that AI has sharpened his thinking. He said they “developed critical-thinking skills by criticizing AI’s work.” AI, according to another student, is the new Google.

On the teaching side, however –

What are all these contradictory opinions about? AI is still a relatively young technology and has only recently been used in education. Early adoption will always bring out skeptics.

In September 2023, all regulations for AI use in education will be in place. Schools decide whether or not to use AI.

The professor explains how AI is used in the classroom.

Liz Fontanella is a professor at Nashua Community College. She selected AI to help her with her job.

She claims that AI is a new concept in her classroom. I aim to empower my students to use AI to challenge themselves and co-create.

Fontanella, a Professor at the Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design Department and Social, Educational, and Behavioral Sciences Department, focuses on teaching students the critical thinking skills they need to use AI effectively.

She adds, “The process and its importance will be key.” She continues, “I’ll stress the importance and correctness of all materials.”

Fontanella is convinced that AI will play a significant role in the classroom and that professors should ensure its use is grounded in critical thinking. She discusses and exercises artificial intelligence and political issues in her “Mass Media and Politics” class.

She says, “AI’s capability to persuade and the possibility of fraud will be at the forefront of discussion.” Students will be discussing how to critically evaluate what we can expect in the run-up to the next presidential elections.

What about cheating? Fontanella admits that cheating is a problem for her colleagues, but she prefers to focus on the positives.

She says that teachers were worried when calculators began to appear in classrooms. They said, “Students will not learn math.” Now we know that this isn’t true. It’s just an instrument.”

Future of AI Education

Research suggests that cloud computing training can empower students inside and outside the classroom.

AI would have been a great thing to have when I was in school. I could have handled my academic struggles without anyone hearing me. It can inspire creativity and curiosity. You can use it to research and gain access to lots of information without paying a fee.

Does it work? While we wait for the results, students and educators will evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. They can expect more regulation.

The conclusion

AI in education presents both opportunities and challenges. AI can improve learning, increase study efficiency, and help educators perform various tasks. However, it raises concerns about its reliability, academic dishonesty, and impact on educational values. As students and teachers adapt to this new technology, the education sector must navigate its complexities. Regulations that ensure AI integration encourage critical thinking and authentic learning are also necessary. AI’s role in education remains uncertain, but its impact on learning and teaching is significant.