AI Tools in Education: Benefits, Hazards, and Ethical Considerations
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in education is on the rise, with both teachers and students incorporating these technologies into their academic practices. From grading papers to providing feedback, AI tools like ChatGPT, Writable, Grammarly, and EssayGrader are revolutionizing the way education is delivered.
According to a report by strategy consultant firm Tyton Partners, sponsored by plagiarism detection platform Turnitin, half of college students used AI tools in Fall 2023. Additionally, the percentage of faculty members using AI grew to 22% in the fall of 2023, up from 9% in spring 2023.
While AI offers benefits such as automating tasks to free up time for personalized instruction, it also presents hazards like accuracy issues and plagiarism concerns. The ethical implications of using AI for grading assignments and providing feedback are also being scrutinized.
Diane Gayeski, a professor of strategic communications at Ithaca College, uses ChatGPT to critique and suggest improvements to her students’ essays. She believes AI should be viewed as a teaching or research assistant that can assist in the initial grading process. However, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between AI assistance and human evaluation.
Leslie Layne, a writing workshop instructor at the University of Lynchburg, acknowledges the advantages of AI tools but raises concerns about the authenticity of feedback generated by these technologies. She believes that using AI to grade papers may compromise the teacher-student relationship and raise ethical considerations, especially regarding intellectual property rights.
Setting standards for the use of AI in education is crucial. Some schools are actively working on policies for both teachers and students to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI tools. Educators like Alan Reid and Nicolas Frank emphasize the need for clear guidelines and transparency when integrating AI into academic practices.
As AI continues to evolve and reshape the educational landscape, universities must remain vigilant in monitoring the ethical implications and impact of these technologies. Regular reevaluation of policies and practices is essential to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically in educational settings.