Trusting AI in Education
Artificial intelligence has replaced human perspectives in the job market for over a decade, with more than 90% of employers utilizing technology-driven algorithms to filter out candidates. Today, similar concerns exist about the use of AI in a pivotal area of societal development: education.
Approximately 8 in 10 higher education institutions admit to using AI during the college admissions process; however, the AI boom is not just prevalent in universities. Many school educators utilize AI to streamline teaching and learning processes, from creating personalized student lesson plans to automating the grading of assignments. While AI offers powerful tools, trusting it in high-stakes areas like admissions and instruction raises critical questions about fairness and transparency.
College Admissions
Technology has modernized "very algorithmic" processes that were once performed by humans, according to Professor Diane Gayeski of Ithaca College. These algorithmic patterns evaluate a student's GPA based on the grades they input, removing non-academic electives and adding extra weight to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Enrollment, and honors courses, along with their SAT or ACT scores, to determine an academic profile for the candidate. However, colleges now report that they use AI for several different tasks, including reviewing recommendation letters and transcripts, automating messaging to communicate with applicants, and even employing it to review personal statements and conduct interviews.
Admissions officers attest that using AI to calculate the "number aspects" of an applicant improves the efficiency of their admission process, especially for institutions that receive hundreds of thousands of applicants annually. Many educators, however, hold a different view. AI reflects historical trends, so if such trends were biased, AI could reinforce existing biases. For example, the printing of specific zip codes from more affluent neighborhoods can overlook low-income students. GPA inflation in many high schools around the United States and internationally can reflect greater disparities in students' academic profiles. These tools often also lack transparency since there is no clear way to appeal or understand AI's decisions.
Many admission officers argue that not using technology-driven algorithms could cause greater harm than good in improving the efficiency of the admissions process. However, to continue progressing as a society that values diverse perspectives for research and growth, many educators want final decisions to be made by real people.
Personalized Learning
AI is revolutionizing education by tailoring learning experiences to meet the unique needs of individual students. Many students use AI as a virtual tutor who generates educational materials tailored to their specific weaknesses. This benefits learners of all types, including those with learning disabilities who struggle to keep pace with the material, as well as high-performing students who can benefit from advanced content.
Current AI models are more focused on developing and optimizing algorithms for efficiency. Many educators and students attest that applying AI for continuous feedback instead will, more importantly, enhance the quality of learning.
Personalization of data does come with notable challenges. AI systems track clicks and writing patterns, so when data is collected for personalized learning, the privacy of student data is at risk. Many educators and parents advocate for default privacy protection laws and limits on the use of data for training algorithms. Personalized learning from AI can also exacerbate the digital divide and plays a critical role in equity concerns surrounding the availability of internet connections and electronic gadgets. Some worry that AI may replace teachers; however, there is substantial disagreement on this, as others maintain that AI will not effectively replace the emotional and empathetic engagement required in teaching.
AI in education is an ongoing debate among educators, admissions officers, and policymakers. AI can enhance efficiency and learning engagement, as well as improve educational outcomes; however, ethical standards are required there is equal access and fair transparency for all students. The prevalence of AI will continue to grow, and as it does, institutions will be challenged to utilize AI to support, rather than replace, the human elements of education.