Having been in the Education technology field for the better part of 30 years, I’ve seen my share of disruptive technology. With that said, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom is about to change everything.
Pat: Just check out this recent article in CBS News Money Watch. The AFT is about to flip the script with a massive investment that will bring AI tools to the classroom.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) on Tuesday announced the fall launch of the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million endeavor funded by Anthropic, Microsoft and OpenAI, three main players in the generative AI revolution.
With the creation of the academy, leading artificial intelligence companies are stepping up their efforts to bring AI to schools across the U.S. OpenAI has committed to giving $10 million over five years, while Microsoft will provide $12.5 million. Anthropic, meanwhile, will contribute $500,000 the first year, said Andrew Crook, a spokesperson for the AFT.
While some educators have expressed concern over being replaced by AI, AFT said it seeks to embrace the technology in a way that protects teachers’ place at the head of the classroom. With this in mind, the foundation said reached out to tech companies for their assistance in developing the AI-training academy.
“The direct connection between a teacher and their kids can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn how to harness it, set commonsense guardrails and put teachers in the driver’s seat, teaching and learning can be enhanced,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in the announcement.
“We want to do it in a way that teachers can really master the tools,” Weingarten told CBS MoneyWatch.
Pat: This is where it is going to get tricky. Yes, we all want a better experience for our students that results in improved learner outcomes, however, how far are we willing to go? Training educators via AI or how to effectively use AI tools is certainly a step in the right direction. Look how quickly this is coming:
Courses will begin this fall at the United Federation of Teachers’ facility in Manhattan, New York. Funding from the tech trio will also go toward the buildout of additional hubs throughout the U.S., which are set to open in 2030, according to Crook. UFT is an affiliate of AFT.
The companies say the training academy will offer a space for educators to learn how to harness AI and implement it safely and ethically in their classrooms. The programming, designed by AI experts and educators, will include workshops, online courses and hands-on training sessions, according to the AFT.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in education, and how we introduce AI to educators today will shape teaching for generations to come,” Anthropic co-Founder Jack Clark said in an emailed statement on the partnership.
AFT said the academy will offer free virtual training to all 1.8 million members in its union, starting with K-12 educators. The federation’s ultimate goal is to train 400,000 educators — about 10% of the U.S. teaching workforce — at the in-person facility over the next five years.
AI in education
AI is already reshaping classrooms, as students and teachers have access to AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, which the latter are using more frequently, according to a recent survey from investment bank Tyton Partners.
The rapid rise of AI has raised concerns about students using the technology to cheat or complete their assignments, with some schools implementing AI detection software.
Meanwhile, research is also beginning to tease apart how AI affects our thinking. A recent study from MIT found that over-reliance on artificial intelligence can reduce brain activity and critical cognitive functions.
Keeping teachers in the drivers’ seat is key to harnessing AI technology so that it is being used constructively in the classroom, according to AFT’s Weingarten.
Gerry Petrella, general manager of U.S. public policy at Microsoft, echoed her sentiments. “We know students are going to benefit the most from this technology when we put teachers at the center of this tool,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Pat: The impact of AI in education is just at its infancy, but what will it look like long-term? Are teachers going to allow robots to replace them? How about designing the curriculum? Are the designers ready to program the bots that will be our new instructors in the classroom? Buckle up, the educational model as we know it is about to change like we’ve never seen before.
Pat Cassella
Pat Cassella has been a leader in the educational technology field for more than 30 years. An engineering major by trade, his leadership skills stem from past roles within product development, marketing, sales and support.