I had the opportunity to attend a conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in education this week. For a long time, I’ve cautiously dabbled with AI, but I’ve never fully embraced it. This conference opened my eyes. I left with a new appreciation for how AI can create efficiencies in the workplace and help educators personalize learning, provide timely feedback, and differentiate assignments to support a wide range of student abilities.
AI can boost efficiency and productivity by streamlining processes and procedures that are normally quite time‑consuming, such as automating tasks, developing schedules, creating documentation, and retrieving information. Frankly, AI can do far more than I can even begin to describe in this area. There are many tools to consider, and we are looking into options that make sense for our setting.
Some of our staff have already used AI tools to develop professional documents, research content, and create instructional plans. A few months ago, the district took a major step by investing in an AI powered reading assistant and learning agent for fifth and sixth grade students to increase student literacy levels and achievement. This well‑researched tool, created by Carnegie Mellon, listens to students read and provides feedback on fluency, decoding, and comprehension. While Amira does not replace the need for a teacher, it extends their reach and ability to support a wide range of student learning needs.
AI literacy is becoming an increasingly important skill for both staff and students. AI is advancing rapidly and is infused into many aspects of our daily lives. We need to teach students how to use AI to maximize their learning potential and prepare them for success in a fast‑paced professional landscape.
Am I ready to throw caution to the wind and let ChatGPT dominate the entire academic arena, stopping students from learning to write or master mathematics? No, I am not. I am prepared to consider how we can use tools such as ChatGPT and others in an ethical, responsible, and critical manner as part of preparing students for their future success. We need appropriate boundaries and protocols in place to help students use AI to amplify their learning rather than misuse this powerful technology.
It is critically important to approach AI with caution and intentionality. We need to protect personally identifiable data and recognize that AI is not always accurate. These are necessary policy conversations that must be addressed as we use AI more in educational settings. Some of these discussions may be challenging, but it is important that we have them and put in place appropriate safeguards.
AI is not a passing trend, it is a powerful tool that is changing how we learn, work, and participate in education. We need to approach it responsibly, with clear expectations and policies to avoid potential pitfalls, while also embracing what AI has to offer. The purpose of AI in education is to enhance and maximize student learning and create efficiencies across our operations. And we must remember that, in addition to learning content, education is about communication and relationship building. Human interaction remains one of the most important aspects of what we do, whether students attend in person or online. The goal isn’t to replace teachers or diminish the value of essential skills; it is to prepare students for their future, knowing AI will be part of their daily lives.
