In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a part of our daily vocabulary. Take a long, hard look at your life right now, and you'll notice that there is hardly any aspect of it which it has not impacted; whether that be through predictive shopping lists, or facial recognition on one's phone.
While AI is presently seeping into life as we know it at home and outside, it turns out that its influence is steadily extending to schools as well. AI is reshaping how students learn and teachers teach, and it is all happening as we speak.
ChatGPT For Homework?
A few weeks ago, Britain's Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, in an interview with the BBC, ruffled quite a few feathers by saying that it was okay to let children use ChatGPT to complete their homework.
"Actually, with supervision and used in the right way, then yes, because ChatGPT and the AI technology that is using language is already being used across the economy," said Kyle.
He went on to say, "We need to make sure that kids and young people are learning how to use this technology and integrate it into their learning development. Using ChatGPT and other AI assistance could really turbo-charge [them] and give them a challenge they're not getting in other places".
A challenge can do wonders to advance the skill development of children but with a field as unexplored as AI, with humanity only aware of the tip of this iceberg, how safe is it for children to explore this uncharted territory?
We speak to teaching and learning experts for a look inside classrooms and the minds of children to find out the impact of AI in schools.
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Artificial Intelligence In The School Yard
Within the walls of the classroom, AI-powered tools promise to cut down the time spent on administrative tasks, and even possibly enhance the learning experience.
However, it also raises important questions about misinformation, the role of human teachers, and its long-term impact on student development.
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As with every coin, there are two sides of the AI boom too. Its potential in the world of teaching and child development, is immense.
Speaking on the advantages of AI usage in schools, Sonali Gandhi, Vice-Principal of Jamnabai Narsee School, Mumbai, tells NDTV, "By embracing AI, students can develop complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking. To maximise its benefits, AI should be used to complement traditional teaching methods, rather than replace them. This balanced approach ensures students reap the rewards of AI-enhanced learning while maintaining the value of human guidance."
Simon Arnell, School Principal of UK's Avanti House Secondary School in Stanmore, says, "The key ingredient here is the teacher. They are able to decide which topics pupils should focus on and where critical knowledge needs to be embedded into long term memory. Currently, pupils are being shown how to it can be used to support by prioritising revision schedules or creating more resources to practice questions."
Not All Rosy
Flip the coin, and you'll find that AI is not without its disadvantages. Unsupervised usage by malleable minds can lead to dire consequences when not kept in check.
Arnell says, "The disadvantages, just like with any resource or strategy, stem from the use when it is not helping the pupils journey towards the learning intentions. Pupils are shown when it is not appropriate or supportive to developing their educational excellence."
"For homework in particular, we have already seen similar issues arise as when pupils could first access the Internet to copy or plagiarise. Through our beliefs and virtues, we continue to encourage pupils to approach their studies with integrity and self-discipline," says Arnell.
Gandhi echoes Arnell, "Overreliance on AI tools may undermine students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These tools often provide answers without explaining underlying concepts, leading to superficial understanding."
"Furthermore, their use raises concerns about plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and authenticity, as students may pass off AI-generated work as their own," she adds.
Where Parents And Guardians Come In
While teachers steer the course for learning within the classroom; outside of it the responsibility is borne by parents and guardians to ensure digital support is used wisely to support the process.
Jitendra Jani, Assistant Principal and Learning and Teaching lead at Avanti House Secondary School in the UK, says, "Parents are key stakeholders in our journey to develop digital literacy. Our Lead Exams Officer advised us that as children grow, it's important for parents and guardians to stay aware of their increasing use of AI tools like ChatGPT. This underscores the importance of parents actively monitoring their child's use of AI, encouraging them to develop independent strategies and rely on their own skills and understanding, rather than depending too heavily on AI tools."
Additional guidance is of the utmost importance since AI is a maze that needs careful navigation.
Gandhi weighs in, "With AI increasingly integrated into education, it's essential for parents and guardians to guide children in using AI responsibly. To combat the ill-effects of AI in learning, children ought to be taught to evaluate information, identify biases, and question sources. Fostering healthy AI usage habits with set boundaries and guidelines and progress being monitored, adults can help children navigate the benefits and challenges of AI."
The Future Of Learning With AI
Children are not reliant on paper textbooks to revise from anymore, or on pencils to take down notes, which is only a small aspect in which the process has changed. As parents, teachers, guardians and children, it's important to adapt to the times.
Gandhi says, "AI is transforming education by enabling personalised learning, offering virtual teaching assistants and enhancing accessibility with language translation."
"Challenges include addressing data privacy, and developing transparent AI systems. By addressing these challenges, AI can create a more inclusive and effective education system," Gandhi signs off.
At the end of the day, given that AI has become a necessary evil in almost all spheres of life, it is essential to know how to use it well.
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