In this article, I felt reading it over was a refresher of what I already have come to understand about AI in the classroom. While originally educators took a stark defense against it to say “No” and “Plagiarism” it’s since become more of a 50 - 50 on allowing students to use it to help create their work and utilize it as a tool for educators and in the creation of both lessons and worksheets. Students and teachers need to be careful with it in the same way one needs to be careful with a hammer and understand that each tool has a specific purpose that could negatively affect you if used incorrectly. For example, an AI assistant can be a one-to-one tool for a student, help evaluate them, give them tips, and save teacher's time. It can be a writing helper for emails, parent teacher conferences, lesson ideas, and in creating worksheets. Individualized AI tutors can even be used to help out ESL students and evaluate them according to curriculum! However, issues of data privacy, and the reduced need for critical thinking and human interaction can be a detriment to the room. Students confused with sounding out words might now be able to ask AI how to do it, how to spell it, say it, pronounce it for them. Maybe if they’re thinking of an essay idea, they’ll just put their brainstorming into it and use whatever the AI gives them for their essay without any need to test their mind. It’s a similar concept to the “Just google it” phrase often used in the 2000’s to early 2010’s. Additionally the concept of those online testing and curriculum programs out there that collect data on students to show teachers their understanding levels scare me a bit in what else that data may be used for. I would not as an educator want to expose my students' learning milestones and ranges online with a random company to use or sell to advertisers for marketing or targeted ads. 

I believe AI can make our lives and students' lives easier, but only if used as a tool with the intended result of things like evaluation, feedback, and generation of content / questions. AI shouldn’t do all the work but help us do those things we only ever dreamed we could do to help students even more. Like using AI to help students behind to catch up with direct feedback as the rest of class can be taught the next lesson rather than having to pause for select student understandings. Or in producing extra worksheets or ideas for G&T students to do that are tailored towards their strengths and interests without spending hours trying to do so. 

I already use AI in my class to help produce assessments relevant to content I want to teach, and in helping my language be more legible to students in 5th grade when it comes to teaching or talking about higher level concepts like in science. I never let AI take over my work but use it as a helpful tool to save me a little time and stress. And while I don’t know how well AI will work for other teachers who learn about it from their trainings, I’m sure I can show some of the other teachers I work with now how to use it in this way too.

Because AI is so reactive, I question how much of a true diagnosis or report of every detail can be provided to educators about their students. In terms of feedback and responses to an educator, how detailed is the information that educators receive? How often will an educator review the report and patterns of students, and how often will they have complete trust in AI and decide to not check reports and progress? The article touched on biases that AI takes on from the creators. How much of the reporting will include bias? Will AI have the same expectations for every student if it operates with known biases? 

Two years ago, I watched a documentary on Netflix titled Coded Bias. The documentary is about how human biases showed up in coding and facial recognition algorithms. The documentary explained that no matter how advanced artificial intelligence is expected to be, it does not have the power to be unbiased at all times. The documentary shared examples of biases by using resumes and credit cards applications. If it is that simple for intelligence software to discriminate in simple areas, how much worse would it be when it comes to children’s education? 

A few more negatives about AI are it cannot read emotions. Sometimes children struggle because of emotions, not because they are academically low. AI cannot prevent itself from being manipulated. Lastly, the article begs the question of who dictates pedagogy. The corporate part of companies is infamous for being out of touch with what is happening at the lower levels of their company and how their products function on a daily basis. Why would AI use be different? 

I agree with the other responses that AI should serve as a supportive tool, not a replacement for the essential role of teachers. It can be incredibly useful for tasks like lesson planning, drafting emails, or streamlining administrative work—areas that often consume valuable time. However, when it comes to direct teaching, I firmly believe that human interaction is irreplaceable. Just as I feel uneasy about teachers relying solely on YouTube videos to teach a concept, I think AI should not take over the core act of teaching. The connection, adaptability, and mentorship that a teacher provides are things no machine can replicate.

In short, AI has immense potential to support educators and enhance the learning experience, but it should be used thoughtfully. It should empower teachers, not overshadow them, and certainly not add to their already overwhelming workload. Direct teaching must remain in the hands of educators, where it belongs, while AI handles the tasks that free us to focus on what truly matters: our students.

However, I worry that relying too much on AI could limit students’ independent thinking. Teachers still play a crucial role in guiding students and ensuring AI tools are fair for all learners. In the future, I’d like to explore how AI can enhance learning while maintaining strong teacher-student connections. I see it as a tool for practice and support, but personal feedback and relationships will always be the heart of teaching.

I also thought it was important that the article discussed the potential downsides of AI in education. The concerns about bias in AI models and the influence of big tech companies on curriculum decisions are definitely things to think about. While AI can make learning more efficient, it’s crucial that educators stay involved in shaping how it’s used so that students from all backgrounds benefit equally. If AI tools are not designed or monitored carefully, they could unintentionally disadvantage students who need the most support, like English learners or those with learning differences. It makes me wonder how schools can ensure that AI remains a tool for equity rather than something that widens existing gaps in education.

Overall, the article reinforced the idea that AI has a lot of potential in education but it needs to be implemented thoughtfully. AI tutoring seems like a great way to supplement traditional teaching and help students take more ownership of their learning. But at the same time, it shouldn't replace the role of human teachers who provide the personal connection and deeper understanding that AI can't replicate. I’m curious to see more research on how AI impacts different groups of students, especially those from underserved communities, and how schools will navigate the balance between AI and traditional instruction.

Just like its mentioned in the article, I have noticed that AI has transformed the way we can offer personalized support to students. With the tools available now, I can provide students with more opportunities for individual learning and help them right when they need it. This would have taken a lot more time if done manually. Using AI has allowed me to spend less time grading and more time working directly with students, which is more beneficial for their growth.  AI has made teaching not only faster but also more effective. It allows me to give each student personalized support, regardless of their background or language proficiency. AI has truly transformed how we teach and has made learning experiences deeper and more accessible for every student.