In our increasingly digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to science fiction or specialised technical settings. Educators supporting 14-18 year olds are now faced with a generation of students who are already using AI tools – sometimes without fully understanding their capabilities, limitations, or ethical implications.
Understanding AI: Beyond the hype
AI is all around us. From voice assistants to recommendation algorithms, it’s embedded in everyday tools. At its core, AI refers to systems that can analyse their environment and act with a degree of autonomy to achieve specific goals.
Take speech-to-text software, for example. This common AI application listens to spoken words, processes them using models trained on vast datasets, and converts them into written text – often with impressive accuracy.
While generative AI tools like ChatGPT have captured headlines, AI is a broad field with a rich history. Since the mid-20th century, researchers have been developing AI systems, and today’s breakthroughs are the result of a 'perfect storm' of three key factors:
- Data – massive amounts of digital information about human behaviour and the world.
- Processing power – computers that are exponentially faster and more powerful than a decade ago.
- Algorithms – sophisticated methods for analysing data and making decisions.
It's worth noting that current AI systems are 'narrow AI' – specialised for specific tasks. We haven’t yet reached artificial general intelligence (AGI), which would be capable of human-like versatility.
Why AI matters in education
AI brings significant opportunities to education including, for example:
- personalised learning pathways
- adaptive systems that respond to student needs
- automated marking and feedback
- enhanced analytics to understand student progress
- integration with other technologies like augmented reality
However, these benefits come with risks:
- Lack of transparency in how AI systems make decisions.
- Data privacy concerns, especially for minors.
- Biases embedded in AI models that can reinforce inequality.
- Ethical dilemmas unique to educational settings.
- Safeguarding issues related to student interactions with AI.
- Unpredictable consequences as AI tools evolve rapidly.
A framework for approaching AI in education
To help students navigate this complex landscape, educators can use a three-lens framework:
- Technical understanding
Help students grasp how AI works at a basic level – what data it uses, how it learns, and what it can and can’t do. - Ethical awareness
Encourage critical thinking about the implications of AI. Who benefits? Who might be harmed? What values are embedded in these systems? - Practical application
Guide students in using AI tools responsibly and creatively. This includes understanding terms of use, recognising limitations, and thinking about long-term impacts like sharing their personal data.
Ten practical steps: Learn fast, act more slowly
In a world racing ahead with AI, educators don’t need to sprint – they need to learn quickly and act wisely. Embrace the momentum of discovery but take thoughtful steps forward.
For example:
- Develop a governance and ethics framework first.
- Provide training on AI literacy and empower colleagues to guide students appropriately.
- Create clear policies and establish boundaries for appropriate AI deployment.
- Choose AI tools based on specific educational needs.
- Ask whether AI is the right solution for each purpose.
- Test implementations carefully and gather feedback.
- Consider how data is collected and structured.
- Ensure systems are compatible and secure.
- Plan strategically for future AI integration.
- Ensure leaders know how staff and students are using AI.
Supporting students with AI
When introducing AI to students, consider:
- teaching fundamental AI concepts appropriate to their age and stage
- demonstrating practical applications relevant to their learning
- discussing ethical implications and potential biases
- developing critical thinking about AI-generated content
- addressing safeguarding concerns proactively
Most importantly, emphasise that AI should enhance human thinking rather than replace it. The consumer-oriented narrative often suggests AI makes life easier, but in education, we should focus on how it can make our thinking deeper and more rigorous.
Moving forward together
The landscape of AI in education is changing rapidly, with new technologies emerging constantly and regulatory frameworks still developing. Rather than each school tackling these challenges in isolation, joining networks or coalitions of educators can provide valuable shared learning.
By approaching AI thoughtfully – learning about its capabilities while carefully considering its implementation – we can help students develop the skills they'll need in an AI-augmented world. This isn't just about teaching them to use specific tools, but about fostering the human intelligence that will always remain central to education.
Remember: Learn fast, act more slowly. By building your understanding of AI while carefully considering how to integrate it into your educational practice, you can guide your students towards becoming thoughtful users of these powerful technologies.
Professor Rose Luckin
A globally recognised expert in educational technology and AI, Rose has been named among the 20 most influential people in education (Seldon List), is the only non-US recipient of the ISTE Impact Award, and was listed in Computer Weekly’s Top 50 Women in Tech (2023).
She has taught across secondary, further, and higher education, published extensively, and is a regular keynote speaker and media contributor. Rose also advises policymakers, including the UK Parliament and the European Commission.
