The role of AI in education is a controversial subject, bringing both exciting possibilities and serious challenges.
There’s a real push to bring AI into schools, and you can see why. The recent executive order on youth education from President Trump recognised that if future generations are going to do well in an increasingly automated world, they need to be ready.
“To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology,” President Trump declared.
So, what does AI actually look like in the classroom?
One of the biggest hopes for AI in education is making learning more personal. Imagine software that can figure out how individual students are doing, then adjust the pace and materials just for them. This could mean finally moving away from the old one-size-fits-all approach towards learning environments that adapt and offer help exactly where it’s needed.
The US executive order hints at this, wanting to improve results through things like “AI-based high-quality instructional resources” and “high-impact tutoring.”
And what about teachers? AI could be a huge help here too, potentially taking over tedious admin tasks like grading, freeing them up to actually teach. Plus, AI software might offer fresh ways to present information.
Getting kids familiar with AI early on could also take away some of the mystery around the technology. It might spark their “curiosity and creativity” and give them the foundation they need to become “active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future.”
The focus stretches to lifelong learning and getting people ready for the job market. On top of that, AI tools like text-to-speech or translation features can make learning much more accessible for students with disabilities, opening up educational environments for everyone.
Not all smooth sailing: The challenges ahead for AI in education
While the potential is huge, we need to be realistic about the significant hurdles and potential downsides.
First off, AI runs on student data – lots of it. That means we absolutely need strong rules and security to make sure this data is collected ethically, used correctly, and kept safe from breaches. Privacy is paramount here.
Then there’s the bias problem. If the data used to train AI reflects existing unfairness in society (and let’s be honest, it often does), the AI could end up repeating or even worsening those inequalities. Think biased assessments or unfair resource allocation. Careful testing and constant checks are crucial to catch and fix this.
We also can’t ignore the digital divide. If some students don’t have reliable internet, the right devices, or the necessary tech infrastructure at home or school, AI could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. It’s vital that everyone gets fair access.
There’s also a risk that leaning too heavily on AI education tools might stop students from developing essential skills like critical thinking. We need to teach them how to use AI as a helpful tool, not a crutch they can’t function without.
Maybe the biggest piece of the puzzle, though, is making sure our teachers are ready. As the executive order rightly points out, “We must also invest in our educators and equip them with the tools and knowledge.”
This isn’t just about knowing which buttons to push; teachers need to understand how AI fits into teaching effectively and ethically. That requires solid professional development and ongoing support.
A recent GMB Union poll found that while about a fifth of UK schools are using AI now, the staff often aren’t getting the training they need:
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Finding the right path forward
It’s going to take everyone – governments, schools, tech companies, and teachers – pulling together in order to ensure that AI plays a positive role in education.
We absolutely need clear policies and standards covering ethics, privacy, bias, and making sure AI is accessible to all students. We also need to keep investing in research to figure out the best ways to use AI in education and to build tools that are fair and effective.
And critically, we need a long-term commitment to teacher education to get educators comfortable and skilled with these changes. Part of this is building broad AI literacy, making sure all students get a basic understanding of this technology and how it impacts society.
AI could be a positive force in education – making it more personalised, efficient, and focused on the skills students actually need. But turning that potential into reality means carefully navigating those tricky ethical, practical, and teaching challenges head-on.
See also: How does AI judge? Anthropic studies the values of Claude
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