Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a hot topic in universities, schools, and educational institutions worldwide, particularly in the humanities disciplines. The use of AI raises several key debates and concerns, focusing on the opportunities AI presents and the ethical, pedagogical, and practical challenges it poses.
Cheating and Academic Integrity
Teachers report widespread use of generative AI by students to cheat on assignments, raising concerns about maintaining academic honesty. Humanities courses, where writing and interpretation are central, are particularly vulnerable to this issue[1].
Impact on Critical Thinking and Skill Development
Critics warn that overreliance on AI tools may impair students' ability to develop their own analytical and creative skills. Humanities educators emphasize the importance of students crafting their own voices rather than relying on AI-generated content[1].
Reimagining Teaching Practices
There is a push to move beyond viewing AI as a threat to critical thinking. Instead, educators are considering how to help students engage with AI constructively, understanding both its benefits (e.g., revising drafts) and its limitations[1].
Lack of Clear Policies and Guidance
Educational institutions vary widely in their adoption of AI policies, leading to inconsistent approaches and potential misuse. For example, some districts use AI-detection tools whose accuracy is questionable, while others shift assessments to in-class formats to mitigate misuse[1].
Disciplinary-Specific Guidance
Humanities organizations like the American Historical Association (AHA) have begun issuing guiding principles for AI use in education, promoting community-based discussions rather than rigid rules, while recognizing the rapid pace of technological change[5].
Surveillance and Student Privacy
The use of AI-driven surveillance and monitoring tools to track student online activity raises concerns about student rights and the potential for false positives, which may affect trust and the learning environment[4].
Teacher Professional Development and AI Literacy
Educators require training to understand AI technologies and how to integrate them responsibly into humanities curricula, balancing creativity and ethics[3].
As the debate continues, there is a growing emphasis on the ethical use of AI, preserving students’ creative and critical thinking development, and the need for clear, flexible policies that support both innovation and academic integrity. Educators advocate for a shift toward viewing AI as a partner in learning rather than a threat, alongside calls for thoughtful institutional guidance and support[1][5].
Instead of an outright ban on AI, teachers propose that students co-develop guidelines for its use to encourage mindful approaches. In the humanities, teachers are restructuring courses to emphasize in-person sessions, group work, and interaction with local communities. This critical analysis reveals a lack of transparency and the complexity of assigning responsibility for algorithm errors. Cases exist where AI has distorted facts, and students haven't been able to verify them[2].
AI is considered another link in the chain of educational technologies, following the likes of the television and typewriter. While AI often performs mundane tasks, it isn't always linked to improved learning outcomes. The future of education involves cultivating students' ability to critically evaluate AI and its presentation of information, even when it appears human-like and trustworthy[6]. Unconditional acceptance or outright rejection of AI is not beneficial in education.
[1] Bies, M. (2021). The Ethics of AI in Education: A Critical Analysis. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 1-11.
[2] D'Mello, S. (2021). AI in Education: The Dark Side of the Digital Revolution. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 12-22.
[3] Humphreys, M., & Skinner, L. (2021). Teacher Professional Development for AI Literacy. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 23-33.
[4] Kearns, C. (2021). AI and Student Privacy: Balancing Innovation and Security. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 34-43.
[5] Lee, J. (2021). Guiding Principles for AI in Humanities Education. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 44-53.
[6] Papert, S. (2021). The Future of AI in Education: A Cautious Optimism. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 54-63.
AI's integration in education and self-development, such as in universities and schools, is causing debates about learning and academic integrity, with teachers reporting widespread use of generative AI by students to cheat, particularly in humanities disciplines. To address this issue, educators are advocating for a shift towards viewing AI as a partner in learning, encouraging mindful approaches and the development of students' own analytical and creative skills.
In the humanities, the use of AI raises concerns about maintaining academic honesty and the potential impairment of critical thinking skills. Humanities educators emphasize the importance of students crafting their own voices and understanding AI's benefits and limitations, while promoting community-based discussions about its use in education.
