In our ninth class, we explored the use of AI in education, which got me thinking about the benefits and potential risks that come with it. Personally, I see AI as a powerful tool for students and teachers, but it needs to be monitored very closely. It’s still a relatively new technology with lots of flaws. This makes it risky to use, especially for young learners who might not know all the risks. However, when used responsibly, AI can make a huge difference in the classroom.
One thing I really enjoyed about this class was learning about the variety of AI tools available. ChatGPT is the website most people know and talk about but it was interesting to see more specialized AI resources, like image generators. DALL-E, for example, can create detailed images from text prompts. While tools like this can be dangerous in the wrong hands (could easily be misused for bullying or spreading false information), they also have a lot of potential. For teachers, AI-generated images could be beneficial for making creative and engaging lesson materials.
That said, the growing presence of AI also raises some big questions. For example, will AI eventually take jobs from real artists/video editors? If people can quickly generate resources, will companies stop hiring humans? It’s a bit unsettling to think about.
Although AI may be very beneficial when used properly, it’s also important to consider the environmental impacts of AI as well. Using AI consumes significantly more energy and water than a regular internet search. This means that every time we use AI to create content, it leaves a larger carbon footprint than we realize. It’s a good reminder that while AI is convenient, we need to be intentional with how we use it. Abusing or overusing AI can contribute to unnecessary environmental impacts, so it is important to be mindful and use it purposefully rather than relying on it for every small task.
Overall, I’m excited about the potential of AI in education, but I also recognize the importance of being cautious. There’s a lot of false and misleading AI-generated content out there, which makes it essential to educate ourselves on the risks. When using AI, it’s important to double check the information and take it with a grain of salt. With proper oversight and ethical use, I think AI could be a game changer for education, helping teachers create better resources and making learning more accessible and personalized.