Education
AI and education: What parents need to teach their kids
With his recent executive order promoting artificial intelligence in public education, President Donald Trump has given parents a gift: a chance to reflect on the role that AI should play in the lives of children.
There are countless reasons to worry about the content children have access to through their phones. In a matter of moments, children can scroll from the good to the bad to the terrible. They are being flooded with information, images and videos, and too many are becoming lost in this new digital world.
While AI tools can help organize the flood of content coming at children, AI cannot determine what we should value. Worse, because our tools are getting so good at so many tasks, we start thinking they can do all tasks. In the process, the spiritual, moral and intellectual muscles necessary for a life of character shrink from lack of use.
Building a life of character is challenging under the best of circumstances. Awash in content designed to entertain and distract, we are making this work nearly impossible for the next generation.
To foster meaning and purpose, parents need to help their children reflect on the highest good, which isn’t always readily apparent.
In “The Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle argues that humans often confuse secondary goods with the highest good. For example, many of us pursue money as if it is the highest good. But Aristotle suggests that we pursue money because it gives us access to other things: freedom from want and freedom to pursue life projects. It is figuring out these life projects, not the pursuit of money alone, that matters.
AI can help us pursue many goods, but it cannot help us determine which life projects are worth our time and energy. Rather than pushing children into one more activity, and rather than giving them access to more distractions through their phones, parents must encourage their children to reflect on purpose.
The main way to facilitate this reflection is giving our children access to the wisdom of the past. Author and educator Luke Burgis, in his article “The Three-City Problem of Modern Life,” argues that we can understand our lives at the intersection of three metaphorical cities: Athens, Jerusalem and Silicon Valley.
Young people are digital natives, literate in the languages of Silicon Valley. But they are often illiterate when it comes to the languages of Athens and Jerusalem: Children often don’t value the ideals of free inquiry (Athens) or understand the power of religious vision (Jerusalem). This is why so many of them are underwater, indiscriminately scrolling through content, often unaware of how they are being influenced.
Smartphones and algorithms manipulate children to think and feel in ways that advertisers and other special-interest groups want them to think and feel. This isn’t in the best interest of our children. When they have access to the great minds of Athens, they learn that discerning truth is a life’s work. Other people, and even AI, can assist us in this work, but living in truth is not something we can outsource.
Similarly, the wisdom of Jerusalem reminds us that we are each bearers of infinite worth. So much of what our children consume through their phones is degrading. It lowers their estimation of themselves and others. It coarsens perception, making it less likely that a child will treat themselves and others as bearers of unlimited value.
Even as we build AI literacy in schools, children need to understand how the greatest minds of the past made sense of leading a human life. This doesn’t come through AI summaries. It comes from going to the source and wrestling with the same issues humans have wrestled with for thousands of years.
Parents must facilitate this wrestling with purpose and meaning for their children. They need to give children anchors in the values of Athens and Jerusalem so that they can build the character they will need to navigate our digital world with wisdom and compassion.
The president’s executive order offers school communities an ideal opportunity to reflect on how to use AI tools effectively and efficiently to promote student learning while graduating AI-literate citizens. Parents are similarly obligated to reflect on how to best prepare our children to face our rapidly changing world. The timeless values of Athens and Jerusalem offer a much-needed life raft children can use to navigate the flood of content constantly coming at them.
Jeff Frank is a philosopher of education and chair of the education department at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
Artificial intelligence has been rapidly changing the K-12 education landscape—from providing opportunities for personalized learning to assisting with nonteaching tasks. As the new school year kicks into gear, how do educators expect to see AI incorporated into their school and classes?
EdWeek reporting shows that not many schools have policies in place to guide AI use just yet, although it’s a top-of-mind issue for educators and policymakers. According to a recent survey of state education technology officials, 40% of respondents said their states had released AI guidance, and supporting professional development on the issue was a top priority.
Additionally, educators remain divided on whether AI should be used in the classroom at all. There is concern among some educators about how AI may affect students’ critical thinking skills, as well as their ability to experiment and learn.
Still, most educators feel as if the use of AI in education is inevitable. In an informal Education Week LinkedIn poll with 700 votes, 87% of respondents said AI will affect the classroom, and 7% said it would not.
Educators shared more details about their opinions on AI’s impact in the comment section. Here are some of their responses, edited lightly for clarity.
Some educators fear AI will have a negative impact
It will be banned within three years once test scores plummet. It can’t be controlled, and 80% will use it to cheat.
It has negatively impacted the general public for sure. I hope it doesn’t enter the schools next.
Totally against it as an educator. If anything, I’m pulling BACK on technology in my classroom this year because it’s becoming more of a hindrance.
Other educators are embracing AI
I’m counting on it [having an impact]. And designing PD about exactly that.
Justin M.
Students are already using it, some to help them study and others to outright cheat. I’ve used it to help with planning and organizing ideas and even for inspiration sometimes. It’s here now and we can’t pretend that it isn’t, but we can show students how to use it in a productive way.
Emily H.
AI will shape classrooms in ways we can’t ignore. The opportunity? Freeing teachers from busywork so they can focus on relationships, creativity, and student growth. The challenge? Keeping humanity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness at the center.
Tricia T.
We are hoping to facilitate conversations between people of different generations talking about certain topics. We would love to speak to a gen Z and baby boomer art teacher. If you’re an art teacher from these generations and you’d like to speak to us about your experience, we’d like to hear from you.
What has it been like working as an art teacher? What do you like about your job? What challenges have there been in your work?
Share your experience
If you’re an art teacher, tell us your experiences below.
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) has captured attention across industries and disciplines, with forecasts predicting an astounding contribution of approximately $19.9 trillion to the global economy by the year 2030. In light of this profound impact, educational leaders are grappling with the challenge of defining effective pedagogical strategies to prepare students for a future increasingly dominated by AI technologies. This evolving narrative underscores the necessity of a unified framework for AI education, an initiative that has found a guiding light under the auspices of Kennesaw State University’s Department of Information Technology.
Kennesaw State University (KSU), under the adept leadership of Department Chair Dr. Shaoen Wu, has taken a monumental step toward fortifying AI education through recent funding achievements from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Accompanied by assistant professors Seyedamin Pouriyeh and Chloe “Yixin” Xie, Wu’s team has secured two NSF grants aimed at creating a network of educators committed to sharing resources and collaborating on best practices in the field of AI. This initiative is set to extend through May 31, 2027, marking a significant investment in the future of educational practices encompassing artificial intelligence.
The driving force behind this initiative is the recognition that while AI has permeated numerous educational institutions, a coherent community focused on AI education remains conspicuously absent. Dr. Wu, who oversees the initiatives within KSU’s College of Computing and Software Engineering, articulated an essential observation. He pointed out that although numerous universities, including KSU, have developed undergraduate and graduate programs in artificial intelligence, a collaborative community has yet to materialize. This fragmentation is paradoxical, considering the widespread adoption and potential of AI technologies across various sectors.
As Dr. Wu aptly noted, “AI has become the next big thing after the internet.” Yet, the educational sector has not transpired into a synchronized effort towards establishing a collective framework for teaching AI. The NSF-funded project marks the nascent stages of an endeavor to create a national network that could potentially streamline AI education and facilitate shared resources among institutions of varying sizes and capabilities.
Drawing parallels to the established cybersecurity education community, which benefits from standardized curricular guidelines and shared best practices, Dr. Wu envisions a similarly structured approach for AI education. Implementing a cohesive framework would empower under-resourced institutions, including community colleges, with free access to crucial teaching materials and necessary equipment for effective AI training. This would significantly lower the barriers to entry for institutions struggling to incorporate cutting-edge AI curricula into their programs.
In addition to the technical framework being proposed, this initiative is part of the broader National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot, a pivotal White House initiative aimed at democratizing AI access and fostering diversity in technological innovation. The NSF grants will enable the KSU team to bring together educators from a diverse array of institutions—ranging from two-year colleges to research-intensive universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The overarching goal is to identify gaps within existing curricula and outline essential recommendations to enrich AI education across all educational levels.
Dr. Wu’s vision transcends mere academic frameworks; he advocates for an inclusive approach to AI that reflects its interdisciplinary nature—impacting fields such as healthcare, finance, and engineering in addition to traditional computing majors. The educational structures put in place today will ultimately influence AI literacy and competency not only in higher education but also scholastic settings aimed at K-12 students. This foresight of establishing a comprehensive educational foundation is pivotal for future generations.
Furthermore, the NSF’s endorsement through these grants validates KSU’s expanding stature in national dialogues surrounding emerging technologies. Dr. Wu’s prominence within academic circles was recently underscored by his invitation to moderate a high-level panel at the Computing Research Association’s annual leadership summit. This gathering, which brings together department chairs and deans from institutions nationwide, reflects an increased awareness and advocacy for robust AI education practices.
The significance of these grants extends beyond KSU, placing it alongside esteemed institutions like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Pennsylvania as leaders in shaping AI education. This recognition offers KSU a golden opportunity to not only augment its reputation but to also influence the wider discourse on how best to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies in an educational context.
In tandem with these developments, KSU’s College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE) has reiterated its commitment to innovation and accessibility. Dr. Yiming Ji, the Interim Dean of CCSE, emphasized that these NSF grants are an achievement not only for Dr. Wu but for the entire College. This initiative showcases the faculty’s collective endeavor to shape national discussions on AI education, guaranteeing that individuals from diverse backgrounds—including those at under-resourced institutions—benefit from shared knowledge and resources.
As institutions like KSU lead the charge toward structured AI education, the landscape is evolving rapidly, and educators must prepare students for a world where AI is an integrated and pervasive element. The implications of these changes extend beyond academia; they resonate through industries positioned to embrace AI’s capabilities and potential. In undertaking this mission, KSU is helping to pave the way for a more equitable and innovative educational framework that could serve as a model for institutions worldwide.
This undertaking heralds a new era in AI education, where collaboration and shared knowledge are not merely desired outcomes but necessary steps for enlightenment in the digital age. The ambitious project spearheaded by KSU exemplifies the essential role educational institutions play in preparing the workforce for the technologies that will define the future, creating pathways for success that reach all corners of the educational landscape.
Through the concerted efforts of educators dedicated to this cause, the vision of a coordinated approach to AI education may soon become a reality, laying the groundwork for a generation equally well-versed in the ethical, practical, and technological dimensions of artificial intelligence.
Subject of Research: Artificial Intelligence Education and Collaborative Framework
Article Title: Kennesaw State University Leads Charge in Transformative AI Education Initiative
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: Kennesaw State University
References: National Science Foundation, National AI Research Resource Initiative
Image Credits: Matt Yung / Kennesaw State University
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Education, National Science Foundation, Kennesaw State University, Technology Integration, AI Curriculum, Collaborative Initiatives, Workforce Development, Higher Education.
Tags: AI education initiativesartificial intelligence in educationcollaboration in AI teachingeducational practices in AIfuture of AI technologiesKennesaw State University grantsNational Science Foundation fundingnetwork of AI educatorspedagogical strategies for AIpreparing students for AI careerstransformative potential of AIunified framework for AI learning
-
Business3 weeks agoThe Guardian view on Trump and the Fed: independence is no substitute for accountability | Editorial
-
Tools & Platforms1 month ago
Building Trust in Military AI Starts with Opening the Black Box – War on the Rocks
-
Ethics & Policy2 months agoSDAIA Supports Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in Shaping Global AI Ethics, Policy, and Research – وكالة الأنباء السعودية
-
Events & Conferences4 months agoJourney to 1000 models: Scaling Instagram’s recommendation system
-
Jobs & Careers3 months agoMumbai-based Perplexity Alternative Has 60k+ Users Without Funding
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoHappy 4th of July! 🎆 Made with Veo 3 in Gemini
-
Education3 months agoVEX Robotics launches AI-powered classroom robotics system
-
Education2 months agoMacron says UK and France have duty to tackle illegal migration ‘with humanity, solidarity and firmness’ – UK politics live | Politics
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoOpenAI 🤝 @teamganassi
-
Funding & Business3 months agoKayak and Expedia race to build AI travel agents that turn social posts into itineraries