Artificial Intelligence
Find out how artificial intelligence could change education, inside the classroom and out
AI Literacy, Explained
Now that AI is expected to influence fields from medicine to policing, what do students need to understand about the technology?
How can AI be used effectively in classrooms?
More than a third of teachers are already using AI to plan lessons, according to 2024 data from the EdWeek Research Center. Teachers are also using AI to create presentation materials for teaching, writing rubrics and student assignments, and checking for student plagiarism. Experts stress, however, that teachers should always review anything AI creates and be aware that AI can be inaccurate and biased. Read more.
What jobs are in jeopardy of being replaced by AI?
In recent years, companies and schools have pushed students to learn to code in order to get high-paying computer science-related jobs. Now, though, layoffs and tech CEO comments are raising fears in students that AI will greatly diminish the number of entry-level tech jobs. Teachers and business leaders say that soft skills are key for students to be able to thrive in a workforce where AI plays a bigger role.
What teacher tasks can AI replace?
9 in 10 educators said that artificial intelligence has changed the job of teaching at least a little, according to a December 2024 EdWeek Research Center survey.
Many companies are now offering AI tools to assist teachers in tasks like lesson planning, differentiating schoolwork to match students’ skill levels or interests, and grading. The tools can also help save teachers time when writing messages to families. Experts stress that the tools should not be a replacement, but only an aide for teachers. For the most effective results, teachers need to be very clear in their prompts and check the results carefully for accuracy and bias. Read more.
Of course, AI can’t take over many key things teachers do, from building genuine relationships with students to teaching critical thinking.
Many companies are now offering AI tools to assist teachers in tasks like lesson planning, differentiating schoolwork to match students’ skill levels or interests, and grading. The tools can also help save teachers time when writing messages to families. Experts stress that the tools should not be a replacement, but only an aide for teachers. For the most effective results, teachers need to be very clear in their prompts and check the results carefully for accuracy and bias. Read more.
Of course, AI can’t take over many key things teachers do, from building genuine relationships with students to teaching critical thinking.
How should schools handle cheating in the age of AI?
Artificial intelligence is part of many aspects of K-12 education already, and likely to grow in the next few years. Many digital learning software programs used in classrooms incorporate AI tutors and tools for differentiating materials so they can be used with students of varying proficiency levels.
Of course, students also use AI. But while many teachers are concerned about students using chatbots to cheat on their assignments, some research suggests that students aren’t cheating more than before AI was widely available. AI-detection tools should not have the final say on whether a student plagiarized and should be punished, experts say, because they can have false positives and may be more likely to falsely identify the work of English learners as produced by AI. Instead, teachers should talk with students and, if a student admits to using AI, use it as an opportunity to talk about appropriate uses of AI.
Of course, students also use AI. But while many teachers are concerned about students using chatbots to cheat on their assignments, some research suggests that students aren’t cheating more than before AI was widely available. AI-detection tools should not have the final say on whether a student plagiarized and should be punished, experts say, because they can have false positives and may be more likely to falsely identify the work of English learners as produced by AI. Instead, teachers should talk with students and, if a student admits to using AI, use it as an opportunity to talk about appropriate uses of AI.
Special Report
Career and Technical Education Meets AI. What Happens Next?
School districts are modernizing their Career and Technical Education programs to help students develop AI skills.
Special Report
AI Is Picking Up Speed. Are Schools Keeping Pace?
See how schools are trying to keep pace with advances in artificial intelligence and use it in meaningful ways.
Special Report
Math & AI: Can They Work Together?
Many math teachers are testing out AI tools in their classrooms, but skepticism remains about the technology's instructional value.
Artificial Intelligence Q&A How One District Uses AI to Build More Efficient Master School SchedulesIn tight budgetary times, AI can find savings in schools' class schedules.
Artificial Intelligence Q&A How This District Got Students, Teachers, Parents, and Leaders to Agree on AIOne Southern California school system went slower in developing guidelines in order to build buy-in.
Artificial Intelligence Opinion AI-Drafted Emails Aren't as Good as You Think: A School HR Director ExplainsI prompted ChatGPT to write a teacher’s work accommodation request. Here’s what it got wrong.
Artificial Intelligence Q&A How to Teach Digital Citizenship Amid the ‘Need to Just Scroll’This Kentucky district is rethinking its digital citizenship efforts in the age of AI.
Artificial Intelligence Sponsor Assessing Students When AI Has All the AnswersSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.How can we ensure students are truly learning and expressing their own understanding, not just outsourcing their thinking to AI?
Artificial Intelligence Opinion The Question You Need to Answer Before Crafting Any New Ed-Tech PolicyWhen debating the appropriate use of AI in schools, don't get ahead of yourself.
Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT for Teachers: A Boon, a Bust, or Just ‘Meh’?Educators will have a tool for using OpenAI’s large language model through June 2027.
Artificial Intelligence AI Tutors Are Now Common in Early Reading Instruction. Do They Actually Work?AI reading tutors are only now being studied, and raise difficult questions about how to judge efficacy.
Artificial Intelligence Teens Should Steer Clear of Using AI Chatbots for Mental Health, Researchers SayChatbots tend to miss warning signs of serious mental health challenges.
Artificial Intelligence Take These 4 Steps When Rolling Out AI Literacy Lessons: One District's StrategySixth through 12th grade students are learning all about AI in this district.
Artificial Intelligence ‘Isn’t That Cheating?’ Why Some Students Resist Using AI for SchoolworkA Virginia district strives to teach students that not all AI use amounts to 'cheating.'
Artificial Intelligence From Our Research Center Teacher AI Training Is Rising Fast, But Still Has a Long Way to GoAI is now embedded into many of the tools that students and teachers use daily.
Artificial Intelligence Parents Need AI Literacy Lessons, Too. A New Toolkit Aims to HelpTwo nonprofits teamed up to create a toolkit of resources schools can use to help families.
Artificial Intelligence ‘What Are You Doing on AI?’: How This District Added It to Career EducationAI literacy instruction is embedded across all 10 of the district's high school career pathways.
Artificial Intelligence Q&A How AI Is Changing Career and Technical EducationA CTE expert recommends teachers and students fact check any information or advice AI generates.
