The Good & The Bad: A Parent’s Guide to AI in Schools 

by Craig Johnson

If there was ever a time when parents needed to REALLY know what was going on in schools, it’s now. If there was ever a time when parents needed to REALLY be engaged in what was going on in schools, it’s now. If there was ever a time for the deepening of the partnership between schools and parents, it’s now. Why now? Because of Artificial intelligence (AI). Experts would agree that while AI offers incredible possibilities, it’s crucial for parents to stay informed and actively participate in shaping the ethical use of these technologies in schools.  

Whether we like it or not (and I like it a lot), AI is here to stay and will continue to grow and permeate everything we do (it’s getting exponentially fast). Given this reality, schools must learn how to leverage and effectively integrate AI as constructively and relevantly as possible. Over 90% of the educational leaders polled, by UnconstrainED, on the integration of AI into their organizations said, “We are lagging behind where we need to be.” And the same group said they are committed to “investing over 60% of their Professional Development time and money” into training their teachers on how to effectively integrate AI into the craft of teaching. So, based on numbers like these, it is safe to say: Some serious educational transformation is about to happen (it’s already happening in many schools). And, as parents, it’s crucial to be informed and supportive of this educational evolution. So, what’s the 101 on “AI in Schools” that parents need to know? Well, with so much NOISE out there, about AI, I thought I’d boil it down to two simple lists: “The Good” and “The Bad.” Here they are: 

The Good Stuff (that parents need to nudge schools to use AI for): 

1. Personalize learning with tailored educational experiences, catering to each student’s unique learning profile and pace. 

2. Provide instant feedback to teachers and students, enabling them to identify strengths and weaknesses; and improve performance. 

3. Assist teachers to identify students who are struggling and provide them with additional support. 

4. Provide schools with patterns and trends in student data, enabling them to make quick and accurate data-driven decisions. 

5. Bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to education. 

6. Prepare students for the future of work, which is likely to be heavily influenced by Artificial Intelligence. 

7. Make learning more interactive and engaging, sparking creativity and curiosity. 

8. Foster collaboration among students (on a local and global scale), encouraging teamwork and communication skills. 

The Bad Stuff that could come with AI (that parents need to demand schools watch for): 

1. Monitoring students’ behavior and emotions, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance. 

2. Perpetuating biases if not carefully developed, potentially impacting students unfairly. 

3. Being hacked or manipulated, leading to data breaches and security risks. 

4. Creating deepfakes, which are realistic but fake videos or images that can be used to spread misinformation. 

5. Being overhyped can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment. 

6. Creating addictive technologies, leading to negative impacts on mental health and well-being. 

7. Diminishing the importance of some traditional teaching methods that benefited some students and who may now be left behind. 

8. Becoming the “easy way to produce work,” if the work expected is traditional and not adapted to a world with AI. 

Schools (like every other business out there) have figured out how AI can immediately and greatly improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. But that’s just the tip of this AI-berg. AI has the potential to transform education, as no innovation or technology before, and provide new opportunities and pathways for teachers to teach and students to learn and grow. However, it also poses risks and challenges that parents need to be aware of. By understanding the implications of AI in schools, parents can support their school’s strategic response to the rise of AI as well as their children’s learning journey; thus, ensuring that both their schools and their children are prepared for the future.