Artificial Intelligence in U.S. Schools
The United States has seen an increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in education. The U.S. Department of Education reports that these technologies can improve educational outcomes by promoting personalized learning, developing critical thinking, and providing students with the problem-solving skills needed to meet the challenges of the future. This trend reflects the desire of educational institutions to leverage AI to support students and improve the quality of education.
Increased usage by students and teachers
A study from Microsoft showed that the percentage of students and teachers who frequently use AI increased by 26 points compared to the previous year, while the percentage of students who never used it decreased by 20 points. This change reflects a greater reliance on AI tools in day-to-day educational processes, both in the classroom and in various academic tasks.
Potential benefits of smart technologies
AI improves academic support for students through chatbots that enhance research and advising processes within U.S. universities, and helps increase the efficiency of academic administration. In addition, teachers are using these technologies to save time on tasks such as rewriting tests, streamlining texts, and creating assessment criteria, giving them more opportunity to interact directly with students and provide more effective personalized support.
Educational Challenges and Risks
Despite the benefits, the adoption of AI faces important challenges, most notably concerns about cheating, as detection tools are still not fully effective, especially for non-native English speakers. Some experts also point out that over-reliance on these technologies may reduce students' ability to develop analytical and critical thinking skills, which may affect the quality of learning in the long run.
Disparities in access and opportunity
Studies show that there is a significant disparity in AI adoption between rich and poor regions, with wealthy regions adopting these technologies faster, which could increase the educational gap between students. Policymakers need to develop strategies to ensure that AI technologies have fair and equal access to all students, with a focus on providing training and support to teachers in all regions.
Artificial Intelligence is invading U.S. schools... How is it changing education?
