When ChatGPT debuted in November 2022, it created quite a stir. Educators were left wondering how they could determine if a student wrote a term paper or if it was generated by ChatGPT. Banning the use of AI in educational institutions seemed impractical, as students would inevitably find ways to access the software. Some professors decided to incorporate ChatGPT into their assignments, asking students to evaluate the bot’s response to a question. As AI use spread, its darker side was revealed, including fabricated claims and “hallucinations.” AI, like most technologies, has a double edge, offering numerous benefits and drawbacks.

In an article in the Financial Times (May 29, 2024), Nicholas Fearn cited a study by an edtech company in which around 60% of high school students surveyed admitted to using ChatGPT for assignments, from writing essays to solving math problems and translating text. Some students confessed to having the bot write entire essays, especially when deadlines loomed. They were aware that this constituted cheating, yet they hadn’t been caught by their teachers.

However, not all students use AI to circumvent the system. Some, interviewed by Fearn, use ChatGPT as an aid or instructional tool. One student uses it to research topics more deeply, get suggestions for further reading, and check math problems.

An article in Forbes (February 21, 2023) by Olufemi Shonubi discusses the pros and cons of using AI in education. To optimize learning and student outcomes, personalized lessons can allow each student to progress at their own pace and harness their unique interests. By providing instant feedback, students can better understand their errors and how to avoid them.

AI can also support students with special needs. Features like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, spell and grammar checks, and software that corrects students’ oral reading in real time can enhance learning and engagement.

Given AI’s immense potential as a teaching and learning tool, how can educators incorporate it while limiting its misuse? Fearn interviews John Morganelli Jr., director of college admissions at Ivy Tutors Network, who suggests that educators might give greater weight to “real-time assessments,” including interviews and in-person testing.

While AI platforms can facilitate learning, another question plagues the educational establishment: Can AI replace human teachers? Despite the efficiency and intelligence of AI-powered tools, they cannot and should not replace human teachers entirely. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that children do not thrive if they stare at screens all day. We cannot downplay the importance of human contact, interaction, and emotionality in the learning process.

Though AI can provide “personalized learning and instant feedback,” as Shonubi argues, bots cannot offer a rounded education that also addresses socio-emotional needs. As AI becomes more sophisticated in delivering engaging lessons, teachers may find their roles evolving into those of coaches or mentors rather than traditional instructors.

Shonubi also raises an important point about privacy. While AI may “collect and store sensitive personal data,” is it fair to young learners to create a digital trail that follows them for life? Who owns this information? Surely, for-profit edtech companies alone should not decide how this information is stored and secured.

Educators and parents need to take a more active role in determining AI’s role in education. Given that our children’s learning and future are at stake, a diverse array of voices must be heard in this conversation.

While AI has the potential to revolutionize education by personalizing learning and providing instant feedback, it cannot replace the irreplaceable: human teachers. The future of education lies in finding the right balance, leveraging AI’s strengths while preserving the essential human elements of teaching.