When we hear the term “artificial intelligence” (AI), do we envision streamlining tasks to save our special education teachers hours of drafting time for an IEP? Or do we imagine a dystopian future like something out of The Terminator?
Despite longstanding warnings, AI has arrived, offering a range of technologies and applications poised to change education forever—just as it’s already transformed our daily lives. For instance, AI-powered navigation helps most of us reach our destinations efficiently, even warning us of traffic ahead and proactively rerouting us. However, anyone who has ever been led astray by their GPS knows we must approach AI with both knowledge and skepticism to avoid ending up stranded on a dead-end dirt road.
As we navigate the road ahead, it’s crucial to remain vigilant while embracing the opportunities and potential that AI in education presents.
AI combines storage, processing speed, algorithms, and data to generate content in response to prompts—questions or directives that detail the user’s goals and expectations for the content produced by the AI tool. There are closed AI systems, which safeguard data and code, and open AI systems, which are public.
Rather than avoiding AI, we should proceed with caution. Data security is enhanced when users understand the difference between open and closed AI systems. Closed AI systems are preferable, but users must be cautious with open AI platforms. Empowering your school community with the proper training on critical AI basics allows for the reallocation of time to teaching and learning.
If you’re concerned about academic honesty and integrity, remember that your school community already has established principles, expectations, and policies to address these issues. Build on the boundaries and culture you’ve cultivated. AI presents an opportunity to strengthen character and apply executive functioning and critical thinking skills.
With an AI lens, review your policies and procedures related to information security, acceptable use of technology, accessibility, nondiscrimination, conduct, and discipline. These policies and administrative guidelines are essential for promoting the responsible and safe integration of AI. Training initiatives should include these policies and procedures, encompass understanding AI types, identify suitable use cases, and promote ethical and safe practices.
If you want to continue this discussion and unravel the complexities of AI in educational environments, please join me at MASA’s Fall Conference in Traverse City. Our session, Enlightening School Leaders: AI Simplified, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. This session will provide further insight into AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, risk assessment, policy implications, and training needs. You can expect to leave feeling empowered to begin your AI journey.
Angela De Los Santos
Vice President
Neola, Inc.