In an interview with The Guardian, the University of California professor and computer scientist Stuart Russell said tools like ChatGPT could result in fewer teachers being employed. Such innovations could result in "fewer teachers being employed—possibly even none," he said.
Set aside the fears of cheating and uprising, many educators are deploying AI for professional development, administrative tasks and other more ordinary purposes.
In a possibly groundbreaking development, Khan Academy, a non-profit educational organization, has unveiled Khanmigo, an AI-powered tutor aimed at providing personalized learning experiences to students across the globe.
"If you choose to respond in a powerful, informed, instructive and positive way, then it can be a huge benefit for us," says Jon Ostendorf, CIO at the Princeton Day School. "It's exciting because it's a challenge and we have to respond to it right away. Every day, you see more potential."
Given the recent surge of edtech tools in K12 schools, it's important that leaders understand these technologies are still in their infancy, so proceed with caution.
AI is already sending waves throughout education, with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates saying AI chatbots can teach kids to read in 18 months rather than years. Younger generations are surrounded by digital tools, and experts say it’s only a matter of time before classrooms are immersed in AI.
More and more educators are buying into artificial intelligence's potential to enhance learning and the teaching profession as a whole. Yet, unlike administrators, they still raise concerns over how it will impact the profession.
"Data breaches have become all too common for public agencies and private businesses alike, and we recognize the impact they can have on individuals," said Matt Smith, interim superintendent of DMPS.
Despite the furor over AI and chatbots, it's not the tools and devices at the cutting edge of edtech that are of greatest concern to K12 IT leaders as they look ahead to the 2023-24 school year.
