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
AI Is Supercharging Cyberattacks. What Schools Need to Know and Do
Schools are working to protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven cyberattacks.
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.
- Artificial Intelligence Webinar From Passive to Active Reading: Student Engagement in the Age of AISponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.What the research tells us about active reading and student engagement—and what it means for teaching in an AI-enabled world.
Artificial Intelligence Q&A An Educator Banned Social Media in Her School Years Ago. What About Banning AI?An AI safety expert and former educator spoke at a UN meeting about AI safety. This is what she said.
Artificial Intelligence Opinion Why I'm Not Betting on the Future of Alpha SchoolA former champion of the ed-tech movement shares his concerns about this new school model.
Artificial Intelligence Headlines Warn of an AI Apocalypse. How Should Schools Respond?Panic-inducing AI headlines might prompt schools to hit pause and review the tech more carefully.
Artificial Intelligence Can Schools Trust AI to Translate for Non-English-Speaking Parents?AI tools can translate school materials for non-English-speaking parents, but there are challenges around privacy and accuracy.
Artificial Intelligence Banning AI Alone Won't Snuff Out the 'TechLash,' Parent Advocates SayParents worry about AI but also data privacy, video use, and screen time in general, advocates say.
Artificial Intelligence Microsoft Commits to AI Guardrails for Schools. Will Other Tech Giants Follow?The tech company struck a deal with the AFT to adopt new AI guardrails and privacy standards.
Artificial Intelligence New Project Identifies Strengths and Weaknesses of a Collection of AI Learning ToolsThe effort finds some bright spots, but also warns that other products could hurt student achievement.
Artificial Intelligence Microsoft Agrees to New Student Privacy Protections for AI. How Ironclad Are They?Microsoft is the latest tech firm to agree to a national teachers' union's rules for data contracts.
Artificial Intelligence Using AI-Generated Text in Reading Class? Watch for These PitfallsNot all AI tools are equally skilled at crafting texts for teaching, studies have shown.
Artificial Intelligence AI Is Working Its Way Into Everything. Can School Districts Really Ban It?It’s very difficult—maybe even impossible—to turn off generative AI for entire school districts.
Artificial Intelligence Educators Feel Confident They Can Teach About AI. What Do Parents Think?A new study shows the resources educators are using to learn how to teach about AI.
Artificial Intelligence Opinion ‘Just Say No’ Didn’t Keep Teens Off Drugs. It Won’t Work for AI, EitherDo you hate AI? That’s all the more reason to teach AI literacy.
Artificial Intelligence LAUSD Adopts Moratorium on Student AI Use, Another Move to Limit Classroom TechThe nation's second-largest district is pausing student use of generative artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence New York, Los Angeles Restrict Student AI Use. Will Other Districts Follow?The restrictions come amid rising concerns about overreliance on technology in schools.
