Will Artificial Intelligence Change the World of Edcuation for the Better Or Simply Kill us All?
As I am a noob in the fascinating and rapidly progressive world of AI, this was an interesting debate for me to witness and participate. However, prior to the debate, like all the debated topics, I was beginning to see a trend in the concept that all of these technological advances are already here, we must learn to live with them, and everything in moderation. Was this the consensus with the AI in the classroom debate?
Are we living a dystopian science fiction nightmare where AI have come to take our jobs as educators or, even worse, our existence? Do people have that negative association with AI, yes they do! But why?
Once I began my own research into this topic, I was suprised this deep-seated fear came up in class and still lingers online. We are not living in a Isaac Asimov novel where robots are taking over the world and society must therefore diligently follow the three universal laws of robotics:
- A robot must not injure a human being or allow a human to come to harm.
- A robot must obey the orders given by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First law.
- A robot must protect its own existence, as long as this does not conflict with the First or Second laws.
Furthermore, these laws will not save us from the incorporation of AI in the classroom setting. Android Authority claims we are entering the Age of Machines and, as such, they are already taking over our lives; however, is that a negative thing? Where does the lingering terror come from? After even more research, an undeniable truth arose. Stephen Hawkin stated the interventions of AI will end mankind! However, the theoretical physicist uses AI technology as his latest communication tech and he also believes it to be more efficient and faster than his previous devices. Yet, with further dramatic sentiments, such as Elon Musk claiming AI is more dangerous than a nuclear bomb, it is unsurprising that people are wary and even terrified of the new developments in Artificial Intelligence.
With thoughts like these, is there any wonder that teacher’s hold any debilitating fear toward AI, not just taking over classrooms and education as we know it, but also potentially our jobs? Is this one more step toward robots taking over the world and ruling humanity? Are we trapped in the Matrix? Are the robot dogs from Black Mirror coming to eliminate humanity? Have the Boston Dynamics Atlas robots shifted their focus to the classroom space? I hope not but it sure still gives me the chills.
As the pro AI debaters, Sheila and Taegan, indicated there are several positive benefits to using AI in the classroom. It can individual learning, it can supplement teaching in a beneficial way, and create a more inclusive environment. However, Jessalyn and Daegan argued it has privacy concerns, the algorithms are inherently biased, and they lack human interaction. Others claim it increases critical thinking, provides instant feedback, and can be used to make difficult concepts more accessible to all learners. However, at what cost? Walden University states AI is riddled with errors because it draws from outdated information so it actively spreads missinformation.
Oh no, AI is not always accurate! My response to the fear of misinformation is — news flash — neither is history or science or any other ‘knowledge’ we pass on to our students. There are always inherent biases, racism, and misogyny, present in education but human knowledge is a dynamic process. Science is always striving for a greater understanding of the world around us. History is slowly willing to acknowledge it’s inherent biases – did Christopher Columbus even step foot on North America? Heck no! Was he an evil colonizer, you bet! And yet the US continues to support/celebrate him with Columbus Day.
I suppose my overall point, albeit a rambling one, is AI may be vilified or exalted but, like my initial summation posited, everything is good in moderation, and AI is here to stay so let’s use it as a tool sparingly to enhance both our teaching and student learning. Let the demystification begin!
3 thoughts on “Will Artificial Intelligence Change the World of Edcuation for the Better Or Simply Kill us All?”
Thank you for this engaging and refreshingly honest reflection—it truly captures the emotional rollercoaster many of us educators experience when confronting AI in the classroom. Your thoughts resonated deeply with me, especially the part about fear versus reality. Like you, I’ve seen the hesitation AI brings—not just among teachers, but also within myself. At first, I too feared AI would replace authentic learning or strip away the human connection we work so hard to build.
But then something shifted for me when I used AI to support a struggling student in my class who found it hard to understand written instructions. I used an AI tool to generate simplified versions of tasks and scaffolded explanations. The result? The student became more engaged, asked questions, and felt empowered rather than left behind. It wasn’t about replacing me—it was about extending what I could offer, especially in a diverse classroom.
I agree wholeheartedly with your conclusion: moderation is key. AI is a tool, not a threat, if used with thoughtful intent and ethical care. Just as we teach critical thinking with textbooks and history, we must now guide students in navigating AI with the same scrutiny. Let the demystification begin, indeed!
Hey Rose, I appreciate your take on the AI debate and agree that we need to find the balance. As I was researching and writing my own AI blog, I began seeing posts pop up on my social media, as is the nature of things, and this one was interesting enough that I saved it. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYFoHrxIte/?img_index=3&igsh=MWQwcjR2anE3bHBmMQ== It definitely fed a bit of the fears of AI that you mentioned in your post. I also just watched a movie with my kids called Ron Gone Wrong which is a Disney/Pixar movie from 2021 that I somehow had never heard of until it popped up on my DisneyPlus just this week. It is about tiny robots that every kid gets that learn everything about them and “help” them connect with other kids to make friends. Very dystopian vibes and majorly interesting commentary on the social impact aspect of technology/AI. Worth watching with a critical eye.
Hi Rose,
I really enjoy reading your blogs and the way you weave imagery and nerdy references into your writing. It is greatly appreciated.
Ok, on to the content. Even though I debated on the pro-AI side, I have a much more hesitant viewpoint as an educator. I agree with all of the points you made. I even appreciated the commentary on misinformation. I have never heard it described like that and it resonated with me. How many times have we discovered some new journal or scroll that changed our understanding of history? How many times have we begun to listen to the voices of the minority to gain a better understanding of the past? History as it is written is usually only one side or a heavily edited version of the event.
Much like the fear instilled by the written word or the internet, we are fearful of the stories we are creating about the potential future we will face with AI. None of which has come to pass. Should we be mindful? Yes. Should we encourage law makers and school divisions to make comprehensive policies that encourage positive integration of this technology into our society? Absolutely! Should we buy into all the hysteria? No, we should be critical of its place in society and education. Thank you for your thoughtful reflection! It gave me a few new things to ponder.
Sheila