Educators express concerns about using AI in the classroom

Release date: June 24, 2024

Educators express concerns about using AI in the classroom

Movieguide® Contributor

A Pew Research survey revealed that many educators are concerned about the use of AI in the classroom.

As artificial intelligence grows in popularity, a Pew Research Center survey found that about 25% of K-12 public school teachers believe the use of artificial intelligence will do more harm than good. Thirty-two percent believe that artificial intelligence will do equal amounts of good and bad, and 6% believe that artificial intelligence will do more good than harm. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said they were unsure of their views.

Teachers' views on AI also vary depending on the grade level they teach. According to a Pew Research Center report, “nearly one-third (35%) of high school teachers say these tools are doing more harm than good. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of middle school teachers and 19% of elementary school teachers say the same.”

One concern about the use of AI in education is the use of platforms like ChatGPT to create content for users and enable cheating. Forbes previously noted, “Chatbots like ChatGPT have sparked controversy among educators for their potential to encourage cheating and generate misinformation. Additionally, experts and observers have raised important questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and access disparities associated with AI.”

Movieguide® has previously reported on ChatGPT's incredible growth and usage.

“The latest AI technology is a chatbot called ChatGPT, which is said to be the fastest-growing app of all time, according to new research from UBS. Just two months after its launch, OpenAI's chatbot attracted 13 million daily unique visitors in January. 'In the 20-year history of the internet space, we are unable to think of any other consumer internet app that has grown this fast,' UBS analysts said in the research.”

“AI is not as amazing as everyone makes it out to be,” a district-level administrator in Ohio told Education Week. “If all we teach the next generation is how to use AI, how can we expect them to learn to think?”

“Students shouldn't use AI until they have demonstrated some proficiency in a subject,” explained a high school math teacher in Texas. “Students shouldn't even use a calculator until they can do arithmetic without tools. Problem solving starts in the mind, not on a keypad.”

But young people surveyed by Pew Research Center have differing views on whether it's acceptable to use AI to complete schoolwork. The survey found that 69% of students said it's acceptable to use AI platforms for research, and 39% think it's “acceptable” to use AI to solve math problems. 20% would feel comfortable using AI to write an essay for them.

“Two-thirds of U.S. teens say they have heard of ChatGPT, with 23% saying they have heard a lot about it and 44% saying they have heard only a little about it. Nearly one-third (32%) say they have never heard of ChatGPT at all,” the Pew Research Center said.

Movieguide® previously reported on AI in the classroom:

Teachers in schools across the country are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence into their teaching, but they are also warning about the technology's potential pitfalls.

A recent survey of 1,020 teachers found that “18% of K-12 teachers say they are using AI in their teaching, and an additional 15% have tried it at least once.”

But as the use of AI grows, teachers are becoming aware of the harmful effects the technology can have on students.