The rapid proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling fast-moving, real-time social experiments at scale. There are many uses for AI in schools, with some students using it for homework and some teachers using it to create lesson plans, receive feedback on instruction, and complete administrative tasks such as grading and writing recommendations.
Recent findings show that the use of AI among students and educators is increasing over time. However, because AI is a rapidly evolving technology, education in schools and policies related to AI are lagging behind. In this context, the authors provide an unprecedented update on educational artificial intelligence that triangulates survey data from a nationally representative sample of five populations: K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, students, and their parents.
The authors found that the use of AI by students and teachers has rapidly increased by more than 15 percent over the past year or two. But professional development for teachers, training for students on how to use AI in education, and policies for schools and districts have lagged behind. Related to this, students reported worrying about false accusations of cheating, and students and their parents reported that increased use of AI could reduce students’ critical thinking skills.
This research was conducted within the RAND Office of Education and Labor in collaboration with the Center for Reinventing Public Education and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Educational Systems Research Institute, and was funded by contributions from RAND supporters and operational revenues.
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