TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
meant for connective reasons and not necessarily for educational purposes, which I guess is good in some ways but bad in others.” As AI continues to evolve and students find new uses for it, the chance of it being used unethically increases. The concerns regarding cheating existed long before the widespread use of artificial intelligence and technology. With the emergence of AI, students are just provided with another way to receive answers unethically. “I think that these are concerns that have always been there,” Wicks said. “Each time we’re faced with a new technology, we kind of have to devise new strategies about how to face this new tool. The same issue, new tool.” On the other hand, it’s nearly impossible to prove that something was not AI-generated, especially as AI continues to improve its capabilities of mimicking human speech. We’ve reached a point where it’s a toss-up whether something was produced by a human or a computer, so there are also students unjustly accused of using AI to complete assignments. “I think there is always a fear that students will rely on AI- generated information rather than their original work or that students will trust AI-generated information without proper verification,” Szymanski said. “Digital literacy and AI education are crucial in addressing these concerns.” With the increased use of AI in completing assignments inside and outside of classrooms, teachers worry about student’s overdependence on the applications, resulting in the loss of originality and critical thinking skills. “I think some fears are that students will lose their critical thinking abilities and that they’ll choose a crutch,” Wicks said. “These high school years are really important for learning those critical thinking skills, and if students skip that step, then they are really cheating themselves. We are going to be producing weak-minded students who don’t know how to think about anything on their own.” Currently, no official policies against the use of artificial intelligence exist at most district or state levels, and AI-detecting software is still developing. For now, teachers must stay vigilant and be aware that AI might be used in their classrooms. “You have just got to monitor and be aware of what’s going on, and you don’t necessarily have to stress all the negatives,” Ahrens said. “But just be aware that you know if it’s in use, just like everything else. Knowledge is power.” The US government has released several bills and an executive order regarding AI regulation, but discussions about policies within schools continue at the federal level. According to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization press release, only 7% of schools reported having formal policies on generative AI use, and most policies that exist prohibit AI use altogether. “This will likely be regulated at the federal or state level,” Ogburn said. “We will have to fall in line with that.” As AI continues to develop, its widespread use will bring inevitable changes. “It [AI] is still growing and developing. I do see it progressing quickly. Within three years or so, it will be exponentially better than it is now, and it will take forms that we have not even thought of yet.”
AI IN EDUCATION FACTS BASED ON RECENT RESEARCH AND REPORTS Adoption and Market Growth— The global market value of AI in education was over $2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow by over 45% annually, reaching around $80 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by increased investment in ed-tech and AI, growing partnerships with educational content providers, and the rising use of cloud- based services ( Soocial ) ( businessolution.org ). Personalized Learning— AI-powered educational tools can adapt to individual student needs, providing personalized learning experiences. This helps students learn at their own pace and improves their understanding of the material. Personalized learning has been shown to increase student engagement by 47% and improve academic performance by 23% ( AI News ). Student Engagement— AI technologies, such as virtual reality and gamification, make learning more interactive and engaging, which helps stimulate students’ interest and motivation, improving their overall learning outcomes ( AI News ). AI-Powered Virtual Tutors— AI-powered virtual tutors provide personalized learning experiences, delivering tailored content and feedback. These tutors can continuously collect and analyze data on student performance, identifying areas where students may need additional support ( AI News ). Legislative Actions— Legislative bodies in 127 countries passed 37 laws related to AI in 2023, addressing issues such as nondiscrimination, accountability in AI algorithms, and education reforms to meet AI-related challenges ( Stanford HAI ). AI in Classroom Management— AI can assist with classroom management and administrative tasks like grading, scheduling, and lesson planning. This not only saves time for educators, but also enhances the efficiency of educational institutions ( ClassPoint ). These facts illustrate both the transformative potential and the ongoing challenges associated with integrating AI into educational systems. For further reading and detailed information, you can refer to the sources mentioned.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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