It’s no secret the world of education is changing rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation. From business to healthcare to education, AI is reshaping how we work, learn, and live.
In schools and universities, however, there is still significant resistance to adopting tools like large language models (LLMs). Many educational establishments have banned or restricted their use, citing concerns about plagiarism, critical thinking, and over-reliance.
I get it, while some of these concerns are undoubtedly understandable, banning AI outright is not the solution. In fact, it’s a complete and utter failure of our young people and their progress in my opinion.
I believe educators of all kinds, regardless of what level you are educating at, need to embrace tools that utilise emerging technologies such as AI and integrate them into their teaching and learning processes.
The reality is that AI isn’t going away and the sooner we prepare students to use it responsibly, the better equipped they will be for the world they’re entering.
The Risks of Restricting AI in Education
When schools and universities restrict the use of AI tools, they risk leaving both students and educators behind. The younger generation is growing up in a world where emerging technologies, particularly AI, are already part of their daily lives.
Many students are already using AI to learn, whether through asking ChatGPT to explain concepts or summarising information for their studies. How can we ignore this and pretend it’s not happening?
If educators are going to completely ignore, vilify or worse, ban the use of AI, who is going to stand up for the future? Who is going to stand up for our young people and students who are entering a world of Industry 5.0, a new phase of industrial development that focuses on collaboration between humans and intelligent machines.
Where I see the real problem to be is when these tools are used in secret, without guidance or structure. By using these tools without understanding the full capacity of their ability to deliver and not having any best practices or open ethical or moral conversations around them, how can we ever expect our students to be able to survive in the world they are hurtling towards.
The reality is if educators don’t integrate AI into the classroom, students will misuse it, rely on it inappropriately, or miss the opportunity to learn how to use it effectively. Worse for educators is that eventually students will end up knowing more about these technologies than their teachers, creating huge disconnect in the learning environment.
By banning AI, educators risk being left behind in an outdated, less relevant education system.
I don’t think this is a question of “whether” educational establishments should be embracing AI or not but rather a question of “why the hell are they not?”
Schools and universities need to think about how to bring AI into the classroom in a way that enhances learning, encourages critical thinking, and prepares students for a technology-driven future.
Practical Uses of AI in the Classroom
AI, particularly large language models, has a huge amount to offer in education – not just for students but for teachers as well.
I’ve seen it work, one of the most impactful uses is in personalised learning. For example, AI can tailor teaching plans to individual students’ needs, particularly those with learning difficulties or neurodiverse conditions.
My son Logan, who is 11 and diagnosed with dyslexia and awaiting an autism assessment was struggling with one of his English homeworks, it was around metaphors and it was one of those homeworks that as a writer I thought I should have been well placed to help him understand.
I realised quite quickly that how I teach and how he learns were two very different things and I wondered how I could utilise AI to help me work with him.
I asked ChatGPT to support me as a teacher, to create a teaching plan around the specific homework, to explain in a way that a neurodiverse learner with dyslexia might be better able to understand.
Within seconds after some careful prompting I was ready to teach Logan about metaphors not in a way I understood and could teach but rather in a way he could learn and understand. The personalised plan adjusted the language and explanations to make the concept more accessible to Logan.
How on earth would the education system not want this? Teachers could simply input lesson plans or homework into an AI tool and receive suggestions for how to adapt them for different learning styles, meaning they could tailor lessons for all children in the class whilst not adding to their workload.
Simply put, AI also has the potential to modernise outdated teaching materials. Instead of using the same worksheets and handouts year after year, teachers could use AI to refresh and update their materials. This might involve creating more relevant examples or designing interactive activities that better engage students. I mean, I know I’m not the only person who has seen an outdated picture of a phone ☎️ in a homework of a child who has probably never ever seen one!
Beyond teaching, AI can also ease the administrative burden on educators. Tasks like marking, report writing, and lesson planning can be streamlined with AI, freeing up valuable time for teachers to focus on their students. With this workload reduced, our educators can spend more time innovating, mentoring, and supporting students’ individual growth.
Education and learning should not be about administration but about creativity, innovation, learning, knowledge transfer and more…surely AI can help us get back to the very reason people choose to become educators in the first place?
Empowering Students with AI
For students, AI offers a way to become more self-sufficient in their learning. Tools like ChatGPT can help them quickly grasp concepts, answer questions, and summarise complex topics. This doesn’t mean students should rely on AI to do the work for them—it’s about using it as a support tool to deepen their understanding and refine their knowledge.
For older students, particularly those in further and higher education, AI can also be an invaluable tool for managing time and workflow. It can help them structure essays, organise study schedules, and even provide feedback on drafts. These tools empower students to take control of their learning and develop practical skills that will be essential in the workplace.
One of the biggest benefits of AI is its ability to break down barriers to education. Students with dyslexia, autism, or other learning differences can use AI to access materials in ways that work best for them. Whether that’s rephrasing text, generating visual aids, or creating step-by-step explanations, AI can help make learning more inclusive and accessible.
Addressing Concerns About Critical Thinking
One criticism I hear a lot of using AI in education is that it could hinder critical thinking. Some people even argue that students might use AI as a shortcut, bypassing the process of developing their own ideas. I would argue that those who have this concern are completely misunderstanding the role of AI in learning.
Here’s the thing, AI isn’t a replacement for thinking – it’s simply a tool to support it, imagine being able to focus your thoughts on the key elements of what you want to learn. Calculators didn’t stop our students from learning maths so why on earth would we think AI will stop them from learning how to think critically. Instead, embracing AI will allow students to focus on the higher-order skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis.
Our educators play a crucial role in all this. I would say it’s their job but I believe it’s their duty to design learning activities that encourage students to use AI responsibly.
For example, students could use AI to generate ideas for an essay but then be required to critique those ideas, add their own perspective, and refine the final product. By integrating AI into the learning process, educators can teach students how to use it as a tool for creativity and problem-solving.
I cannot fathom why we would want to hold back these tools from our young people. Should we hold back pens and go back to quills? Should we bin the calculators and grab an abacus or two?
Progress cannot be stopped, it cannot be slowed, it must be embraced and it must be harnessed.
Preparing Students for the Future
No matter what side of the fence you’re on with this argument, one thing’s for sure – AI is here to stay. In the workplace, it’s already being used to streamline processes, improve productivity, and enhance decision-making. If students leave school or university without understanding how to use these tools, they will be at a disadvantage in the job market.
Teaching responsible AI use should become a core part of the curriculum. This includes helping students understand how AI works, how to use it ethically, and how to critically evaluate the information it provides. It also means teaching them about the limitations of AI, including potential biases and inaccuracies.
Beyond academics, AI can also support students in their personal lives. From managing budgets to organising their time, these tools can help them develop practical skills that will serve them well in adulthood. Schools and universities have a responsibility to ensure their students are equipped for a world where AI is a fundamental part of everyday life.
So, What Now?
It’s time for educational establishments to stop fearing AI and start embracing it. Large language models have the potential to revolutionise teaching and learning, making education more inclusive, efficient, and engaging. But this can only happen if schools and universities take proactive steps to integrate these tools responsibly.
For educators, administrators, and policymakers looking to implement AI in education, guidance is essential. From training staff to developing tailored AI strategies, the right support can make all the difference.
For consultations on how to integrate AI into your educational practices, contact me for a free consultation. Together, we can create an education system that truly prepares students for the future.
