Back to school with AI

Generative AI like ChatGPT and Google's Bard are already widely used by students and teachers, and will only become more common in the next few years.

As artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT have exploded in popularity in the last year, schools are grappling with adapting. According to Hadi Partovi, CEO of the non-profit Code.org, AI is already a major part of the education system - whether schools have embraced it or not.

“Surveys show that almost the majority of students of teenage students plan to use AI to do their schoolwork. This year, 45% of students have said they will do their schoolwork using AI,” said Partovi.

Rather than banning these tools, Partovi argues schools should update their curriculum to focus more on problem-solving and critical thinking. Students use AI to cheat on outdated tests focused solely on memorization and repetition.

“We shouldn't be testing students' ability to memorize knowledge or their ability to do repetitive tasks that a computer could do. We should be testing their ability to generate new insights, solve problems, do critical thinking, collaborate, and use digital tools,” he said.

Partovi predicts in just five years, teaching students to “read, write, and code using AI” will be a core part of education. Some administrators have banned AI for now, but that can’t last. The key is integrating these powerful tools in a thoughtful way.