When we think about artificial intelligence, many of us—especially those who grew up in a certain era—immediately picture the Terminator movies. For me, that’s where my mind goes. The idea of machines with human-like intelligence was science fiction not so long ago, but today, we’re living through the beginnings of that transformation.

I like to think of AI as being in its cocoon stage. What emerges from this cocoon—the electronic butterfly, so to speak—remains to be seen. What’s clear, though, is that we’re witnessing the dawn of a new era, one that will fundamentally change how we live, work, and teach. Education, in particular, is at the tip of the spear, with immense potential for AI to reshape how we approach learning and instruction.

The Role of AI in Education

One of the biggest challenges we face is figuring out how to incorporate AI ethically and effectively into schools. Speaking from experience, AI has already played a significant role in my growth as a student. When I started university, I wasn’t writing at a university level. But by using tools like Grammarly, my essay grades improved by about 10%. Later, when I discovered QuillBot, it added another 10%.

These tools didn’t do the work for me—they refined it. I see them as high-tech versions of tools we’ve always had, like spell checkers and thesauruses. Back in the day, I would have cracked open a physical thesaurus to find synonyms, defined those words in a dictionary, and then practiced using them in sentences. Now, technology streamlines that process. Tools like Grammarly don’t just correct errors—they teach you why something is incorrect, helping you improve as a writer.

Trying Out ChatGPT as an AI Tool

To explore AI further, I’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT, a tool that can do everything from answering questions to generating essays. Its potential in education is enormous.

How It Could Be Used in the Classroom:

1. For Teachers:
   • Automating administrative tasks like creating lesson plans or grading objective assignments.
   • Crafting differentiated materials for students at varying skill levels, such as simplifying text for struggling readers or generating advanced questions for gifted learners.
   • Providing real-time feedback on student work, which can save hours of grading time.
2. For Students:
   • Assisting with brainstorming ideas for projects or essays.
   • Providing explanations or clarifications on topics they struggle with, almost like having a personal tutor.
   • Encouraging creativity by helping students develop storylines, explore “what if” scenarios, or simulate debates on historical events.

Supporting Learning Styles and Critical Thinking:
AI tools like ChatGPT can cater to diverse learning styles. Visual learners could pair it with image-generation AI to create visual aids, while auditory learners might use it to generate scripts for role-play activities. AI can also assess student understanding by generating personalized quizzes or asking thought-provoking questions to encourage deeper engagement.

Ethical and Practical Challenges:

1. Ethical Concerns:
   • Over-reliance: Students might use AI to complete assignments without fully understanding the material.
   • Academic honesty: At what point does using AI cross the line into cheating?
2. Practical Challenges:
   • Accessibility: Not all schools have the resources to integrate AI tools equitably.
   • Teacher training: Educators need support to learn how to use these tools effectively.

My Perspective and AI’s Future in Education

AI isn’t the enemy of education—it’s a tool that can enhance it. But like any tool, it depends on how we use it. For example, asking ChatGPT to help refine a thesis statement or suggest an outline is, in my view, ethical. However, using it to write an entire essay undermines the purpose of the assignment.

Looking ahead, I believe we may need to rethink traditional assessments like essays. As AI evolves, assignments might shift to focus on creative projects, oral presentations, or collaborative problem-solving tasks—things that AI can support but not replicate entirely.

AI’s role in the classroom will likely grow, offering personalized learning experiences, automating repetitive tasks, and freeing up teachers to focus on deeper connections with their students. The key will be to integrate AI thoughtfully, ensuring it’s used to empower learning rather than replace it.

We’re just at the beginning of this journey. And while there’s uncertainty about what lies ahead, one thing is clear: education, like AI itself, is evolving.

Stay strong and curious,
Rob