# data[].attributes.body
I noticed a lot of similarities among the responses. Many teachers are excited about the prospects of AI, though many have not used it (yet) in the classroom. This tells me that many teachers have some knowledge of how AI can help them but are maybe unsure of where to get started. I also noticed that many of us have the same concerns about AI for student use. The biggest concern was students using AI to "cheat" or "do the work for them." Angela Tally

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I wonder if we will learn how to prevent cheating from the students while using AI or how to prevent them from just having AI do the work for them. I think we will all be more comfortable if we know these issues will be addressed. Angela Tally

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I like the fact that many teachers are eager to use AI in the classroom.

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I noticed that there a wide variety of people who are new to AI when this has been around for years. Many teachers are truly excited to use AI tools to save time. Although the biggest concern was students using the tool to cheat on assignments, some people mentioned that it will make students more handicapped or lazy.

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Another concern aside from the cheating is if the material presented is legit or fact. So when teachers try to find content algined with NCSCOS or pacing guides for CCS, will the information be correct?

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This was my reaction to the professional experience tab. I think I was shocked that there were more No's than there were Yes'

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This was my reaction when I saw that there are many more teachers who are novices in AI.

# data[].attributes.body
I noticed that there are many teachers who have no expericence with AI in a professional setting.

I noticed that many teachers have concerns about students not using AI in an ethic way, students not working on their assignments and relying on AI without thinking or analyzing the information.

But at the same time most teachers are open to student use of AI in the classroom.

Karla Zuniga

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I wonder how to balance the use of AI in the classroom, to avoid students relying on it and not using their critical thinking and analysis skills.

Karla Zuniga

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I notice that while some teachers are ecstatic about utilizing artificial Intelligence in the classroom, many of us are still cautious about embracing it. Another thing I notice is that many teachers share similar concerns about the use of AI especially with how it will be used by students. (Phelica Morgan)

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I wonder if introducing AI in the classroom will lead to numerous problems such as, students using it irresponsibly. How will we be sure that the information being accessed by students is correct? How will we ensure their honesty or monitor what they are being exposed to? (Phelica Morgan)

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I wonder if administrations will buy into utilizing high-security AI systems to ensure that teachers and students are provided with correct information and also to control some aspects of security. (Tenaj Blygen)

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I notice that there seems to be a trust issue by teachers, as the majority of them are willing to try; however, they are currently novices to the use of AI, even though it has been around for several years now.

# data[].attributes.body
I was so relieved when I saw how many participants consider themselves novices when it comes to A.I.

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I noticed that a lot of teachers are concerned about students using A.I. tools inappropriately - especially using it to generate products that they credit as their own. I have not encountered that problem yet with older elementary-aged students. However, my son is a middle school science teacher and he told me that around 30% of his students try to turn in A.I. generated assignments each week. He says he is going "old school" next year - back to more paper/pencil tasks. For the record, my son is 29 and very tech savvy. He and I both strongly support A.I. in the classroom but only when it is used appropriately.

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I wonder if A.I. will eventually replace teachers - especially at the secondary and college levels?

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The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is a growing trend that offers both significant benefits for teachers and drawbacks for student learning.

Generative AI tools can enhance personalized learning, streamline administrative tasks, and provide valuable insights to improve student outcomes. However, the integration of AI also raises concerns around data privacy, equity, and redefining the role of teachers in a classroom. As schools and educators explore use cases for AI, it is crucial to carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages to ensure the effective and responsible implementation of this revolutionary technology.

Key Insights

Balanced Use: AI should support teachers without overshadowing the essential human connection that defines effective education

Data Privacy: Secure, transparent data management is essential to protecting student information.

Equity Focus: Continuous evaluation of AI tools can prevent bias and ensure all students benefit

Resource Allocation: Implement AI tools thoughtfully to avoid exacerbating educational inequalities

The Advantages of Using AI in Education

AI in education offers personalized learning by adapting content to each student's needs, boosting efficiency through automated tasks, and supporting data-driven decision-making. These tools improve accessibility and provide real-time feedback, helping students build confidence and retain knowledge while freeing teachers to focus on impactful classroom interactions.

Personalized Learning and Adaptation

AI tools assist in customizing lesson plans based on each student's learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. For instance, adaptive learning systems such as continuously assess student performance to adjust difficulty levels and deliver material at an appropriate pace. AI can enhance improvement science initiatives , allowing teachers to quickly identify specific areas where students need additional support and to target interventions more effectively.

Efficiency in Administrative Tasks

AI tools can automate many of the repetitive tasks that consume a teacher's time, such as grading with an AI detector and attendance tracking. Automated grading, for example, is especially useful for objective assessments and can free teachers to focus on planning engaging lessons and interacting more directly with students. Increased efficiency enables a more focused approach to teaching, which contributes to increased overall teacher satisfaction.

AI's ability to collect and analyze data provides educators with valuable insights. AI can track patterns in student behavior, academic performance, and even social interactions, helping teachers make data-driven decisions about teaching strategies .

, including speech-to-text, language translation, and text-to-speech functionalities, open doors for students with disabilities or language challenges, making content more accessible. Schools can create inclusive environments where students can engage with materials independently, contributing to a more equitable learning experience. Also, adopting new technology can help schools bridge accessibility gaps.

Virtual tutors and AI chatbots can provide immediate responses to student questions, enabling them to learn independently and receive feedback at any time. This additional support improves the quality of classroom-based learning and helps fill knowledge gaps. Students benefit from constant learning reinforcement, ultimately improving confidence and retention.

Disadvantages of Using AI in the Classroom

While AI in classrooms offers potential benefits, it also poses challenges like privacy risks, as handling student data requires robust security measures and legal compliance. Additionally, AI can unintentionally perpetuate biases, limit teacher roles, and widen access disparities, highlighting the need for cautious, equitable, and balanced implementation to ensure that AI complements traditional teaching without compromising student learning.

AI relies on vast amounts of student data, raising legitimate concerns about privacy and data security. Schools must ensure compliance with data protection laws and establish robust security protocols. Adopt secure, compliant AI systems that protect student data to avoid the ethical and legal pitfalls that come with mishandling sensitive information.

AI systems can unintentionally reinforce existing biases if not carefully designed and tested. For example, if an AI tool is trained on data that overrepresents certain demographics, it might not serve all students equally. To address this, conduct regular evaluations and algorithm adjustments to mitigate biases and ensure student equity in AI-supported learning environments.

There is concern that AI's efficiency in automating tasks may lead to reduced responsibilities for teachers. However, take a balanced approach where AI complements, rather than replaces, teachers. The human aspect of teaching-such as offering emotional support and building meaningful relationships with students-remains essential to student well-being and their success, something AI alone cannot replicate.

Implementing AI in schools can be expensive, and not all institutions have the resources to adopt these technologies in every classroom. Without equitable access, schools in underserved districts may fall further behind. Prioritize careful, needs-based AI implementation, focusing on scalable solutions to reduce the technological divide between schools and districts.

The Bottom Line

The integration of AI in education presents both transformative opportunities and significant challenges. AI's potential to personalize learning, increase efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making can empower educators and enhance the student experience. However, it also brings crucial considerations around privacy, equity, and the preservation of human interaction in classrooms. As educators and administrators consider adopting AI tools, it's essential to prioritize responsible implementation that upholds ethical standards. By carefully balancing the benefits with potential risks, schools can harness AI's power to improve student outcomes while preserving the irreplaceable role of human connection in learning.

FAQs

How can AI benefit teachers?

AI can streamline tasks like grading, attendance, and tracking student progress, allowing teachers more time to focus on student engagement and creative lesson planning.

How does AI support improvement science?

AI-driven data analytics provide actionable insights, helping educators pinpoint areas needing improvement, test solutions, and scale successful strategies.

What can teachers do to mitigate privacy risks with AI?

Teachers and administrators should ensure that any AI platforms used comply with privacy regulations, encrypt data, and restrict access to sensitive information.

How can AI create a more inclusive classroom?

AI can facilitate accessibility by supporting assistive technologies such as text-to-speech for students with disabilities and real-time translation for non-native speakers. This helps foster an inclusive environment for all learners.

Will AI eventually replace teachers?

AI is designed to complement teachers, not replace them. While it handles administrative tasks and offers additional student support, the unique human aspects of teaching-like relationship-building and emotional support-remain irreplaceable.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in Education - Schools That Lead

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Learn more about the key advantages and disadvantages of schools adopting AI tools in the classroom.

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I noticed that teachers are more comfortable with the idea of using AI to make our lives easier but share a common concern over student usage. I also notice that more of the respondents are novices, me included, to all things AI.

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I wonder what AI tools will be required for teachers to use in the future. I wonder what will be considered the correct way to use AI as a teacher and what the line with be for some that do not use it correctly.

I also wonder how we will be able to monitor student use of AI effectively.

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I am excited to learn about AI. I look forward to seeing how I can improve my teaching skills and the quality of my teacher life.

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One thing I noticed was the amount of participants who are eager and excited to learn about AI, but have not started to use it; and many are concerned with this taking away from student voice! Many are worried about students cheating. I also thought some of the future outlook responses were very interesting as well. It looks like many of us worry about our current position and how it will look and how teaching will look like in 5-10 years with the increase of technology and AI. (A. Stone)

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I do wonder how education will continue to change with the increase in AI use. How will teachers know if the work a student is doing is their own? How will our districts technology department/guidelines change to allow for the use of AI? Will classroom teachers turn into a monitoring position while students learn online? Just so many thoughts? However on the flip side, I do love using it to simplify things that I am working on! So sometimes I feel like a hypocrite. (Just being honest) (A. Stone)

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I found this book being recommended in an administrators FB Group. Has anyone used it or read anything from it? (A. Stone) Picture wasn't working- hopefully a link will work (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CXHQTTWL/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_5?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1)

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TechEd Maven Consulting (Author), Dr. Stacie Chana (Author)

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A.C.E. Instructional Leadership: Observations, Evaluations & Feedback: Driving Educational Success with Over 175 Chat-GPT & AI Prompts

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A.C.E. Instructional Leadership: Observations, Evaluations & Feedback: Driving Educational Success with Over 175 Chat-GPT & AI Prompts [Consulting, TechEd Maven, Chana, Dr. Stacie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A.C.E. Instructional Leadership: Observations, Evaluations & Feedback: Driving Educational Success with Over 175 Chat-GPT & AI Prompts

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Overall, I was surprised to see the percentage of knowledge regarding AI and applications in education. The fact that we are willing to use it is awesome.

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I noticed how there is a triple tie for the question about "Openness to Student use..."

I also noticed that educators have the same concerns when it comes to how students are using or will use AI. ~ Anyonga D. Blackwell

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I wonder what the reasoning is for the 1.8% of Willingness to use AI for educational purposes. ~ Antonga D. Blackwell

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This is a great resource for educators to use.

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MagicSchool.ai - AI for teachers - lesson planning and more!

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Join over a million teachers saving hours of time using the #1 AI Platform for Education, MagicSchool, to help lesson plan, differentiate, write assessments, write IEPs, communicate clearly, and more!

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I am very new to the subject of AI and do not know very much about it. It was interesting to see based on results of the poll, that many others are new to the understanding and use of AI as well.

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As I read through the poll responses, I noticed patterns that many are new to the idea of AI in education and do not feel proficient with using generated AI. The majority of those polled are also open to using AI to support teaching and learning as educators prepare supportive, personalized, relevant, and engaging educational materials, differentiate interventions and strategies to support the unique learning needs and styles of all of their students, as they teach curriculum content skills to access content. As a professional in the area of special education, I am excited to read that many teachers are open to using AI to support the different styles and needs of learners and to find ways to support the individual needs of their students. I also noticed, upon reviewing the results, that many responding to the polls have mixed feelings about students using AI tools to access learning and complete tasks and assignments, providing well-supported reasons for their thoughts, emotions, and opinions. Many believe that AI will lead to students learning new ways to cheat, which will interfere with teachers knowing if a student truly understands the material, impacting instruction strategies and data results and any possible surprises during tests and assessments. This may also lead to students acquiring incorrect information, impacting students' ethics and integrity, the ability to cite supporting sources, student engagement in learning, and knowing how to search for information and discern if information is correct or makes sense. This may lead to students developing a lazy work ethic, limited desire to learn new information, and a decline in interpersonal skills, analysis of information, problem- solving, cognition, creativity, authenticity, and overall thinking skills and character. Stacey Tyndall

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I wonder how we as educators and professionals will develop guidelines and strategies to support how students learn how to use AI-generating tools, in a way that is developmentally appropriate, to support their learning without resulting in a decline or compromise in their overall personal growth, emotional, and interpersonal skills, and character. We need to find ways to not only teach the curriculum but also how students can be good human beings and members of society. Stacey Tyndall

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Why and How to Support Needs of Special Education Students

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Why and How to Support Needs of Special Education Students

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How to use AI  to support students needs

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How to use AI  to support students needs

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How to Use AI to Assist Students with Special Needs

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I'm not the only novice!! I didn't think I was that old...but over the years...as new tech is introduced my brain is like....nope...not doing this one!

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I feel so many of us are genuinely concerned about the authenticity of student work. However, many teachers are beginning to incorporate this into their lessons. Amanda Velazquez

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I wonder if there will be required PD rolled out to the schools as we transition into a world where AI is everywhere. A. Velazquez

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For those of us that love Canva and all it has to offer...AI can now help with generating those projects. Some of you may already know this, but I just started playing with it today.

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I think the majority of the people know what AI is but are not sure how they an ethically use it in their classrooms.

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I notice that a lot of people are concerned about using AI and cheating in the classroom.

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I wonder what classrooms will look like in the future. Will anyone have an original thought?

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I see and understand that many are concerned about students using AI as a crutch and not expanding their own ideas or understand that their perspectives are invaluable. As educators, we will need to adjust and insure that students see the value of their personal perspective and that AI is a great tool, but it is exactly that....a tool. Michelle Temple

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I wonder how the school systems will navigate using AI in the classroom. I definitely see the benefits as an educator in streamlining the workload, but what is the best way to incorporate AI in the classroom to better education and still encourage students to share their own voice? Michelle Temple

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I thought the responses to the challenges and concerns were valid but interesting, and then I began to wonder if my teachers are thinking the same.

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I noticed many concerns about students being dependent on AI. I also saw that many were worried about AI being used to cheat. I also noticed excitement and a desire among educators to embrace AI, but with hesitation, while others were enthusiastic about AI's potential to be beneficial and to make their jobs easier.

-Niesha Witherspoon

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I wonder if educators will embrace AI, understanding it is here to stay. I also wonder what AI will look like for students and educators once appropriate use guidelines have been established in CCS and our schools.

-Niesha Witherspoon

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I noticed that a lot of us have the same concern about ethical use of AI tools and students genuinely understanding the information.

I also noticed that a majority of us are ready to use AI! That's exciting.

-Heimbueger

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I wonder why someone in this course is not willing to use AI.

I wonder how to best implement AI in tasks and classroom usage.

-Heimbueger

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I am so excited about the possibilities of how AI will add to lessons, but there is that little bit of nervousness of how to best support teachers as they incorporate AI in the classroom.

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I noticed that a lot of teachers are willing and excited about using AI, but there is an underlying concern of plagiarism. Some teachers mentioned that it would be a great tool to learn better writing skills....if students will use the tool correctly, they will still understand the purpose of creating their own, original thoughts and products but AI could be a tool to show them ways to improve their own ideas. ~ Michelle Temple

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I wonder how teachers will ensure that students are using the tool to engage with content on a deeper level and not just to make assignments easier to complete. ~Michelle Temple

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I noticed that there is no clear scale on the polls on willingness to use AI for Education purpose or oppenness to student use. For example, is 1 favorable or unfavorable?

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I wonder what the benefits are to AI.

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Similarities

I noticed that quite a few of us are concerned about students using AI to cheat on assignments. Also that AI will take away from the learning.

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I wonder with the increase of using AI in education, will there be more AI detection software to assist teachers with assignments.

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I noticed that the majority of us are concerned with students using it simply to get work done, and losing their ability to think critically and engage with assignments. However, I noticed that most are still willing to learn more so we can learn how to get students responsibly using this technology and help ourselves with our workloads.

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I wonder how best to incorporate AI experiences for students since this technology is not going away. We don't want our students to get behind in the modern workforce. However, we also don't want them to lose their critical thinking abilities. Where is the balance? 

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I wonder how best to incorporate AI experiences for students since this technology is not going away. We don't want our students to get behind in the modern workforce. However, we also don't want them to lose their critical thinking abilities. Where is the balance? 

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I noticed in the graph that no one feels like they are an expert on AI.  I know there are not that many classes/PD concerning how to use AI in the classroom and as a result we are all feeling as if there is more for us to learn. Katherine Cuffe

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I wonder if the state or our county is going to be requiring teachers to begin taking profession developments or classes concerning how to use AI in our instruction or how to teach students to use AI.  I remember when education wanted teachers to use more technology/digital learning and all of the classes and CEU requirements became mandatory.

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I notice that many of my peers have not been using AI yet. In all of the charts there was a low percentage. I was surprised that many of us have not been using this technology for educational purposes. I noticed that teachers still want the students to be responsible for doing their own work and not technology.

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I wonder if after we take this course how peoples feelings about AI will change. I wonder if people will learn more about the benefits of AI instead of focusing on the negative outcomes.

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I found it interesting that almost 61% stated they didn't have professional experience with AI tools, but platforms like Google Classroom, Remind, Class Dojo, Quizizz (wayground), Canva, etc., those are AI tools for classes. But glad to see that most of us are on the same page and open to using AI. I taught a PD on appropriate use of AI in the classroom, so I am very familiar with AI, the tools, resources and how to teach students to use in the classroom.

-Mrs. Charlon Long, Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School

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I noticed a lot of teachers are concerned with students using AI to cheat or write assignments.

-Mrs. Charlon Long, Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School

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I wonder if teachers understand the benefits of using AI in the classroom and showing students the RIGHT way to use it, how we can improve not only student learning in CCS but also increase engagement, environment and SCORES!

-Mrs. Charlon Long, Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School

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I noticed that there are a lot of us new to AI. And there are several who are concerned about cheating by students. I think there is a place for AI but we have to define it and teach it to the students.

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I wonder how we can address appropriate ways for students to use AI AFTER they have taught themselves how to cheat with it. I feel like we have an uphill battle.

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I thought I was the only one.

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I notice that a lot of teachers want the same thing that I do, to learn more ways to use AI productively in the classroom. AI is a great tool and I can not wait to be able to use it.

I think AI will make my lesson plans more hands on for my students and give them that extra piush they need in understanding areas of comprehension.

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I am happy that we all want to learn what AI could offer!

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I can see that many educators today are beginning to integrate artificial intelligence into their teaching and lesson planning. Learning how to use AI effectively can greatly enhance our productivity, creativity, and efficiency. By understanding how to properly create and apply AI tools, we can save time, design more engaging lessons, and provide personalized learning experiences for our students.

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I am curious if AI can really replace some jobs, especially teaching. I know some companies are already doing layoffs because AI can already do their jobs.

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I am wondering how we can build clear guidelines for student use that protect thinking and integrity, while still allowing them to practice real world AI skills. I also wonder what kind of training and support teachers will need so that AI becomes part of their everyday practice and not just another thing on the plate. Finally, I wonder how we can shift the conversation with students from “AI will do it for me” to “AI can support my ideas, but I am still responsible for the thinking.”

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When I looked at the AI Pulse Check sheet, I noticed that a lot of educators still do not have much professional experience using AI, but many are still willing to try it. That tells me people are curious and open, even if they are not fully comfortable yet. Across the comments, there was a strong pattern of concern about students relying on AI to do the work for them, losing creativity, and not thinking for themselves. At the same time, many teachers see AI as a way to save time, differentiate, and support planning, so there is a clear mix of caution and hope in this community.

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I am happy to be here. Let's GO!

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It seemed like a lot of teachers had concerns more for student use than for their own personal use as far as how to use it ethically and being able to still have the fundamental skills needed for the class 

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Most of what I saw talked about how teachers are not that experienced in AI, but most show a willingness to learn for students sake and can name benefits in their professional career, but are worried about the overuse of the technology

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I wonder if AI will become as widespread as we fear with proposed regulations and restrictions from higher up, or will it go more the way of Computers where it is more commonplace to know how to use it rather than not

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One thing I’ve noticed is that many educators have little to no experience using AI tools and are still at a novice level. This lack of familiarity is a major reason AI has not yet been widely adopted in their professional practice.--Monica Jones

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I wonder what AI tools will be available to our students, or to our school, and which ones will be blocked by the county. Things that make you say hmmmmm--Monica Jones

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My face when I see the majority ranked 4/5 for students using AI in their classroom. -Laura Cains

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I noticed many, to include myself, are concerned with students using AI as a tool to cheat/get through work as fast as they can to get it done not learning anything, versus using AI as a tool to help enhance the resources their teachers already provide. - Laura Cains

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I wonder what policies will come out surrounding the us of AI within the classroom and education in general. - Laura Cains

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Looking at the responses, I was like "huh?" that approximately 82% of the educators in this class ranked using AI in willingness to use it in the profession as a 4 or 5, but only approximately 59% of that group was a 4 or 5 to being open for students to use AI in education. Why such a difference in percentage? -Justin Cains

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I noticed that many educators acknowledge that AI is used in their profession and in daily life, but many still have many concerns with it being in education. Whether its students cheating, students lacking the prerequisite skills that AI affords them the opportunity not to know, or how it may hinder standardized testing outcomes, many educators still do not know how to properly integrate it consistently to improve student success and understanding.

-Justin Cains

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Looking ahead, AI is going to be integrated in almost all facets in education, therefore I wonder, how will it be properly integrated to enhance learning and not diminish students learning basic prerequisite skills. For example, AI in Mathematics can solve problems and give students the answers, but in High School Math 3, students have a standardized test that requires short answer responses; if the calculator cannot do all the calculations, how are students going to make appropriate connections via AI to make them successful?

-Justin Cains

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I was a little surprised that so many educators had no experience with AI tools given so many of our resources and curriculum has it integrated within. ESpark has Nova which is AI and it aligns with our curriculum. Chatgpt is easily accessible on smart phones. Gemini is literally in my google apps from the county. Maybe this group just needs a little push in the technology era and I'm here for it!

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Educators are open to the possibilities that AI can ease our workload and make sense of our data but we are concerned that students will take advantage of it. As a parent, my own children have mentioned in middle school and high school that their teachers don't teach they just push out edpuzzles and google docs etc. So, it is possible that this is a just like every other resource and it can be taken advantage of and abused if not monitored? Yes, so I think we are all in the right place. We are ready to learn so that we can be experts and control the environment of our students while also allowing them to be exposed to all that technology has to offer.

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I wonder what sort of tools will be available to help monitor and safeguard the use of AI for students and or educators. I know that our school has goguardian and it allows us to monitor online use but what about things in place to eliminate plagiarism.

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Ease our worries by establishing protocols for our students:

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Ease our worries by establishing protocols for our students:

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I am eager to learn more so that I can allow students the choice and experience of using AI to "enhance" their learning and understanding but not as an end all be all.

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How to Establish AI Use Protocols for Students?

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I noticed that most of us are willing to use AI in the classrooms however there are a lot of concerns also that AI will be misused by the students.

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I wonder what will it look like in the classrooms if both students and teachers will use AI. How can the teachers make certain that students are really learning?

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I can understand why many educators selected no verses yes when it comes to them being familiar with AI. I can see why they may be hesitant about AI. The thing is we have all been using it for a long while in other forms and have not been aware of it. It was a friend of mine who introduced me to the current trend of AI about a year or so before it made its big splash into the main stream.

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I am someone who leans into the idea of students having AI tools for use in education and I definitely noticed from other teachers, the concern of students using it to cheat too. The thing is, no matter what, the students who want to cheat, will cheat. There is no real way to stop it. AI can be reframed to help them "cheat" by showing them the proper way to use the tool in its many forms. It is there to simplify work life and one way to combat the cheating issue is to show them how to use the tool properly. Sophia Ford

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Even though I do enjoy using AI, I wonder if by using it, if we are also training the future hires of this profession how to perform some of the duties of our job so that the powers to be can reduce the number of actual human teachers in the classroom with AI Bots. It does feel a little like a Twilight Zone episode playing out.

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Psychologists can help maximize the smart adoption of these tools to enhance learning.

Cite This Article

Abrams, Z. (2025, January 1). Classrooms are adapting to the use of artificial intelligence. Monitor on Psychology, 56(1). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/01/trends-classrooms-artificial-intelligence

Key points

AI has been in use in classrooms for years, but a specific type of AI-generative models-could transform personalized learning and assessment.

Teenagers are quick adopters, with 7 in 10 using generative AI tools, mostly for help with homework.

Educational psychologists are studying how these tools can be used safely and effectively, including to support social and emotional learning in children and adolescents.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) promises to touch nearly every part of our lives, and education is one of the first sectors grappling with this fast-moving technology. With easy and free-to-access tools like ChatGPT, everything related to teaching, learning, and assessment is subject to change.

"In many ways, K-12 schools are at the forefront of figuring out practical, operational ways to use AI, because they have to," said Andrew Martin, PhD, a professor of educational psychology and chair of the educational psychology research group at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. "Teachers are facing a room full of people who are very much at the cutting edge of a technology."

AI has been used in classrooms for years, quietly powering learning management tools, such as Google Classroom, Canvas, and Turnitin. But the recent democratization of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, and the rush to commercialize similar technologies across sectors, is providing new challenges and opportunities for students and educators alike.

In a growing movement to find out how to safely and effectively use AI to enhance learning, educational psychologists are playing a critical role. They are studying how AI tools can lighten the workload on teachers-without interfering with the social aspects of learning-as well as how intelligent tutoring systems can personalize education while keeping students motivated. They are also exploring whether educators can leverage tools such as ChatGPT without hindering the broader goals of learning.

One question should always be at the forefront, said educational psychologist Ally Skoog-Hoffman, PhD, senior director of research and learning at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): "How are we using AI and technology as tools to elevate the conditions and the experiences of education for students without sacrificing the human connection that we absolutely know is integral to learning?"

How children view AI

Psychologists have studied human-technology interaction for decades. A new line of research now seeks to understand how people, including children, interact with chatbots and other virtual agents.

"Little kids learn from characters, and our tools of education already [rely on] the parasocial relationships that they form," said David Bickham, PhD, a health communication researcher based at Boston Children's Hospital, during a panel discussion on AI in the classroom. "How are kids forming a relationship with these AIs, what does that look like, and how might that impact the ability of AIs to teach?"

In a series of qualitative studies, Randi Williams, PhD, a program manager at the Algorithmic Justice League, a nonprofit focused on making AI more equitable, observed playful interactions between young children and robots, including the children's attempts to both teach the agents and learn from them. Williams and her colleagues also found that children viewed agents with a more humanlike and emotive voice as friendlier and more intelligent (Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 2017). But many questions remain, including how to study and foster such relationships while protecting the safety and privacy of minors-issues that psychologists are well poised to address.

Among adolescents, the use of generative AI is already widespread. Of the 7 in 10 who reported using at least one such tool in a 2024 Common Sense Media survey of 1,045 teenagers ages 13 to 18, homework help was the most common reason. About half of those who used generative AI for schoolwork did so with permission from a teacher. A similar number checked the veracity of generative AI outputs using outside sources, suggesting that many students are aware of the fallibility of such tools (The Dawn of the AI Era, Common Sense Media, 2024).

"Teens have quite a sophisticated and nuanced view of AI," said Beck Tench, PhD, an information scientist based at the Center for Digital Thriving, which explores the role of technology in young people's lives and is part of the Project Zero initiative at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "They report that they feel conflicted, and are having just as many excitements and concerns as we do as adults," including worries about misinformation, awareness that it will change their work prospects, and enthusiasm about its potential to advance science, creativity, and humanity (Teen and Young Adult Perspectives on Generative AI, Common Sense Media, Hopelab, and Center for Digital Thriving, 2024).

The Center for Digital Thriving offers guidelines for talking to youth about generative AI, including asking children what school rules seem fair and whether they have ever heard about AI getting something wrong.

Intelligent tutoring

Much of the conversation so far about AI in education centers around how to prevent cheating-and ensure learning is actually happening-now that so many students are turning to ChatGPT for help.

A majority of teachers surveyed by the Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit focused on technology policy, said they have used AI detection software to check whether a student's work was their own, but those tools can also be fallible-in a way that could exacerbate inequities (Up in the Air, Center for Democracy and Technology, 2024). Black teenagers were about twice as likely as their peers to tell Common Sense that they had schoolwork incorrectly flagged as being AI-generated (The Dawn of the AI Era, Common Sense Media, 2024).

Some schools are adapting by changing the nature of assessment, Martin said. In Australia, for example, senior year science projects are traditionally submitted in written form, but students must now also present their findings orally and respond to questions in real time. On the whole, teachers told the Center for Democracy and Technology they need better guidance and training on what responsible use is and how to respond if they suspect a student is cheating by using AI tools.

On the bright side, educators are increasingly relying on AI such as Curipod, Gradescope, and Twee to automate certain tasks and lighten their workload, said Nicole Barnes, PhD, APA's senior director for schools and education. That includes generating new ideas for lesson plans and activities, writing parent-teacher letters, adapting materials for different age groups and neurodiverse learners, and getting a second opinion on how to improve existing materials.

Intelligent tutoring systems are another major focus for researchers, developers, and education technology companies. These AI-powered systems promise to help personalize the learning experience for each student, tailoring style, pace, and assessment to the individual and making lessons more accessible to students learning English or those with disabilities. Khan Academy, McGraw Hill, and Carnegie Learning are among the companies offering AI tools, while the Los Angeles Unified School District invested millions in "Ed," a custom chatbot that survived for just a few months after the financial collapse of the company that built it.

"It's sort of a gold rush right now for edtech companies to sell districts the right thing, without having any data to support their claims," said educational psychologist Stephen Aguilar, PhD, an associate professor of education at the University of Southern California who studies how such technologies relate to student motivation and engagement.

As an alternative to commercial offerings, which are expensive and difficult to customize, some researchers are working on open-source intelligent tutoring systems. OATutor -built by Zachary Pardos, PhD, an associate professor of education at the University of California, Berkeley, and his colleagues-uses generative AI to learn from an instructor's own teaching style and materials, then creates new and improved worksheets and lesson plans. This bespoke learning tool can allow teachers to replace textbook homework questions with interactive exercises that cater to each student's mastery level and do not require grading.

"The teacher can spend less time adapting to the technology, so it feels more like an extension of her class that helps unburden her, rather than another professional development task," said Pardos, who is also publishing journal articles on OATutor to add to the knowledge base about adapting and scaling generative AI in education.

A key task for psychologists, Aguilar said, will be to study how using AI tools relates to students' motivation to learn. Intelligent tutoring systems still lag far behind human teachers, Barnes said, in their ability to detect whether a student is feeling frustrated, anxious, or uncertain about the content they're learning.

"These systems often treat responses as black and white, but the reality is far more nuanced," Barnes said. "Every answer elicits an emotional response from students, whether positive or negative." Teachers detect these nuances and adjust instruction accordingly-existing AI tutors do not.

Future intelligent tutors are poised to collect more nuanced data on students as they learn-including everything from the heart rate to facial expressions, Bickham said-and know when to call on a teacher to step in. That could ultimately shift teachers into more of a facilitator role.

"The teacher role has the potential to evolve from the person who's really directing the education to a person who is kind of managing the experience," he said.

Social and relational shifts

Ask ChatGPT for homework help and you'll get a polite, friendly response, Martin said, which makes it easy to forget you're not interacting with a sentient being. The tool may therefore represent a social opportunity cost if children use it to answer questions they might otherwise ask their parents, peers, or siblings.

"The more you rely on generative AI to help you with your schoolwork, the less you might be inclined to meet up with friends in person or online after school to brainstorm around an essay," Martin said.

Teenagers also report talking to generative AI about relationships, identity, and sexuality, including to find answers to questions they're afraid to ask adults and to have the feeling of talking to a friend who won't judge them (Teen and Young Adult Perspectives on Generative AI, Common Sense Media, Hopelab, and Center for Digital Thriving, 2024).

"It's striking to me that young people are sharing their deepest, darkest secrets and questions to a company that can collect that information and use it," Tench said.

To help students learn about the downsides of using such technologies, CASEL has partnered with Common Sense Media to apply its five social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies (self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness) to the digital space. The goal is to empower students to bring social and emotional awareness to difficult online situations. For example, how can teenagers with body image concerns navigate a social media feed rife with photos edited by AI?

CASEL is also exploring whether AI can be used to teach SEL. Because young people today are beginning to enmesh their online and offline lives, virtual SEL lessons could be useful, Skoog-Hoffman said.

Young people may develop a cyber identity that differs from their real-world social identity. How do those concepts relate to one another and influence behavior, both online and in person? Before AI can safely be used to teach SEL, more research is needed to understand these concepts, Skoog-Hoffman said, as well as whether skills such as empathy can be practiced and acquired in a digital context (with a chatbot, for example).

"For youth, online and in-person interactions are starting to become more seamless," she said. "That could change the way teens are learning about relationships and interpersonal skills, and as educators, it's time for us to adapt."

The Center for Digital Thriving suggests the following questions for starting conversations with youth about generative AI:

1. Do you know any kids your age who are using generative AI?

2. Has your school or teachers set any rules about using generative AI?

3. What kinds of uses do you think should be allowed in school?

4. Have you ever seen an AI tool get something wrong?

5. What kinds of questions feel easier to ask AI than a human?

Further reading

"My doll says it's ok": A study of children's conformity to a talking doll
Williams, R., et al. IDC '18: Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children, 2018

More teachers are using AI-detection tools. Here's why that might be a problem
Prothero, A., EducationWeek, April 5, 2024

Artificial intelligence and social-emotional learning are on a collision course
Prothero, A., EducationWeek, November 13, 2023

AI in the classroom: Technology and the future of learning
Family Online Safety Institute, 2023

Using artificial intelligence tools in K-12 classrooms
Diliberti, M. K., et al. RAND Corporation, 2024

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Classrooms are adapting to the use of artificial intelligence

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Psychologists can help maximize the smart adoption of these tools to enhance learning.

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I am excited to learn to use AI and the AI Pulse Check shows me a lot of other feel as and where I do too! - JJ

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I notice that a lot of classmates have much more experience than I do with this already- Kudos to you guys!  I am here to graduate to that group of educators.  -JJ

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I notice that a lot of classmates have much more experience than I do with this already- Kudos to you guys!  I am here to graduate to that group of educators.  -JJ

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I wonder the ways that students will be ahead of AI and use it to get around doing some of their work.  I fear so much that having this as an assist will become a crutch and will truly take learning away from some students.  So I am glad to get to learn ahead of that.  I hope I can become knowledgeable enough to prevent any misuse of AI for my students.  -JJ

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I wonder the ways that students will be ahead of AI and use it to get around doing some of their work.  I fear so much that having this as an assist will become a crutch and will truly take learning away from some students.  So I am glad to get to learn ahead of that.  I hope I can become knowledgeable enough to prevent any misuse of AI for my students.  -JJ

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This is what I'm afraid of!!!!!!!

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Response numbers are consistent when it comes to general experience and professional experience with using AI, but the responses shift on openness for student use and willingness to use AI in the classrooms. - Michael Tucker

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