By Yvette G. Murphy, Senior Global Education Advisor 

In our introductory blog to this series on AI, Education, and Humanity, we asked, “Where are you on your artificial intelligence (AI) literacy journey?”

What was your response? Did you feel confident about your AI knowledge? Did you feel excited and curious about the journey?

Or, perhaps, you felt anxiety because you think you’ve fallen behind, or maybe you even fear AI will be the end of humanity. Others may have felt indifferent about the question.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel, but it is critical for those of us in the education field to assess our feelings and figure out how to move forward – because it’s clear that AI is here to stay and only likely to continue to grow. Thus, one of the biggest questions for teachers is fundamental to the future of their profession: How do we ensure that AI is used for support rather than harm and that the value of human-guided learning is recognized?

Will Good Things Happen With a Growth Mindset?

In his Forbes article, AI influencer Michale Gale recommends that those who fear AI adopt a growth mindset, referencing Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on what a growth mindset is and how one stays in a “growth zone.” Gale argues that if we can see the opportunities AI can provide in the future, then we are more willing to solve problems that arise when leveraging its potential.

Cultivating a growth mindset has both existential and practical use for teachers. Teachers understand the value of human-guided learning and, therefore, it is important to grow their AI literacy skills to understand how the use of AI tools can support their students’ unique learning needs.

In “Truly Human: Leveraging AI to Better Serve Our Children,” authors Jody Britten and Paul Atherton emphasize the importance of teacher professional growth in AI knowledge and understanding: “The landscape of what AI is, how it can be used, and how we can leverage it in education while being truly human in our approach necessitates background knowledge, experimentation, and a focus on curating tools that empower (not power) collective efforts to serve all children.”

Simply espousing a growth mindset does not ensure good things will happen, according to Dr. Dweck. Growth requires an environment where fear is addressed and risk-taking is valued and supported.

AI Tools for Good

Growth and propagation of AI technology is human-driven. Sal Khan, an educator and entrepreneur, believes that AI can be revolutionary but emphasizes that human beings need to remain active participants in its use for it to “save” education and not destroy it.

Khan says, “If we act with fear, good actors will slow down and bad actors will take over. Together we have to fight…to put up the guardrails and reasonable regulations if AI can be used to enhance human intelligence, human potential, and human purpose.”

Dr. Raphaël Millière, a Professor of Philosophy in AI, feels that people will always value a human-guided learning environment but also recognizes the need for teachers to engage with AI and adapt in order to harness AI tools for good.

Addressing AI’s Potential Dangers

The future of human-guided learning depends on the willingness of teachers, education leaders, and policymakers to address AI’s potential dangers head-on. In Dr. Millière’s opinion, the more immediate harm that AI technology poses may result from malicious use and/or overuse. A real concern is heavily relying on AI tools to do the hard work of critical thinking.

To assist school communities in appropriate use of AI for enhancing learning and school safety without causing harm, the Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education released guidance on “Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence.” The document illustrates ways in which AI can create and contribute to the exclusion and discrimination of students due to race, color, or national origin, gender, ability, and disability, and provides practical ways in which educators and families can address these issues.

Your Thinking Is Your Humanity

In the U.S. Department of Education’s report “AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning,” they envision a “technology-enhanced future” in which the human is “fully aware and fully in control, but their burden is less, and their effort is multiplied by a complementary technological enhancement.”

In talking with teachers about AI, Britten and Atherton brainstormed how they see themselves as truly irreplaceable and focused on the learning and lives of their students. A key takeaway from the teachers for keeping “the human at the center” is to think of AI tools as the best and fastest assistant. Similarly, CE International’s Center for Professional learning engaged teachers around the world in a discussion about how they feel about AI in the classroom and their thoughts on using various AI tools. Overall, the participants came away with an overall positive outlook for AI and the future.

As AI technology becomes more integrated in classrooms and education systems,  educators will need to apply critical thinking skills to evaluate the ideas and suggestions generated by AI tools and how they support  the creative process of teaching. In guiding the learning of their students, teachers should never allow student use of AI tools to take over their thinking. The same is true for themselves.

The rapid acceleration of AI in education will require gatekeepers in order to be successful, according to Michael S. Roth, President of Wesleyan University. In pondering the future of human-guided learning, we can think of teachers in this role. Teachers and students shouldn’t outsource their thinking, says Roth, because “thinking is your humanity.”

AI Resource Roundup

Education

Truly Human: Leveraging AI to Better Serve Our Children (article)
Jody Britten & Paul Atherton, Childhood Education Innovation, July/August 2024
This article explores the use of AI tools for education and emphasizes the need for ethical and human-centered approaches to leverage AI tools within learning environments. The overarching message is that AI can enhance teaching practices and pedagogical approaches so that teachers can maintain the essential human component within the classroom to foster holistic development in children.

How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education (video)
Sal Khan, TED Talk, May 2023
In his TED Talk, Sal Khan, an educator and entrepreneur, explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing education systems rather than replacing human educators. While acknowledging that AI can augment learning, Khan stresses that human connection remains irreplaceable for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional development. He also discusses the importance of ethical considerations and ensuring AI usage aligns with educational values.

How Is AI Changing Education, Work & the Way We Learn? (podcast)
An interview by Mia Funk with Michael S. Roth, The Creative Process, November 2023
In this interview, Michael S. Roth, President of Wesleyan University, discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on education and the workforce. Roth highlights the evolving purpose of education, noting a shift from preparing students to fit into predefined roles to enabling them to create their own paths in society. He emphasizes that learning will continue to need a human perspective to ensure a meaningful and inclusive future.

AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning (report)
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, May 2023
This report outlines AI’s transformative potential for education while addressing its potential risks. The report was developed as a result of public listening sessions and stakeholder feedback. It emphasizes the importance of involving educators, aligning AI models to educational goals, and prioritizing safety and trust to mitigate risks like algorithmic bias. One of the key recommendations is to keep humans central to AI decisions in education.

Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence (guidance document)
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, November 2024
This guidance document was developed to ensure that AI in learning settings and education systems supports equitable, inclusive, quality educational opportunities. The document is an excellent example of how education technology use must comply with existing legal frameworks, particularly those regarding decision-making systems that could unintentionally perpetuate discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics and human rights.

Our Humanity

Why Growth Mindset Is Needed With AI – 10 Examples of Carol Dweck’s Principles for an Existential Moment (article)
Michael Gale, Forbes, May 2023
In this article, Michael Gale, a digital transformation expert, author, and thought leader, explores the critical importance of applying a growth mindset to the evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). By drawing on Dr. Carol Dweck’s principles of growth mindset, Gale emphasizes the need for humans to adapt and thrive amid rapid technological changes.

How Can We Ensure That AI Is Aligned With Human Values? (Podcast)
An interview by Mia Funk and Hannah Lumi with Dr. Raphaël Millière, The Creative Process
In an interview with Dr. Raphaël Millière, a philosopher specializing in artificial intelligence, the conversation addresses critical issues regarding the alignment of AI with human values and ethical considerations and deep dives into how humans learn and process language. Millière explores both the transformative potential of AI and the harm it can cause if used maliciously and without considering the potential risks of unintended consequences, such as perpetuating racism and ableism. He optimistically predicts that humans will always value human-guided learning and educators will, therefore, need to adapt and harness AI tools for good.

CE International Project Innovation Highlight

As part of their virtual World Teacher’s Day celebration, the Center for Professional Learning (CPL) at CE International hosted a session called “How Today’s Tech Is Redefining Classrooms.”

The CPL team was excited to hear about how educators from around the world are using tech across different classrooms worldwide and for the opportunity to learn from one other and explore what is possible.

A quick poll at the beginning of the session showed that teachers are excited about AI in education (an average rating of 4.1 out of 5).

Disclaimer:

The thoughts, opinions, and synthesized knowledge belong to the authors, and the resources shared are not meant to define CE International’s stance on education and AI.

Resource Sharing:

If you have any resources related to AI and Education, please feel free to send them to Yvette G. Murphy, Senior Global Education Advisor, at ymurphy@ceinternational1892.org.

About the Author

Yvette G. Murphy, Senior Global Education Advisor

Yvette Murphy is a skilled global education professional who is values-centered and has over 15 years’ experience supporting the learning and growth of children and educators worldwide through classroom teaching, program development, professional learning, and global advocacy. She is passionate about ensuring equity, inclusion, and social justice for most impacted and historically under-resourced and disadvantaged children and communities.

Yvette’s dynamic work experience in the private sector and with non-profit organizations demonstrates strong systems-thinking skills, a passion for innovation, and an ability to build bridges. She has a master’s degree in international education with a focus on non-formal and alternative education from The George Washington University.

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