Does Generative AI Belong in the Classroom? Pros and Cons
While combing through topics regarding AI education, it’s hard to miss the conversation on whether generative AI belongs in the classroom. As with all debates, there are pros and cons with the biggest concern being cheating and plagiarism. If we switched the focus to how to use it, does that change things?
For example, generative AI has the potential to help educators streamline processes but may hurt students’ learning development if used unethically. We explore these benefits and challenges in detail below:
Pro: Can Help Create Tailored Teaching Experiences
Generative AI can support teachers when developing lesson plans and expedite brainstorming sessions for activity planning. For example, Stretch AI is currently being developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and ASCD. The beta chatbot is considered the first AI coach of its kind and will generate responses based only on information and data developed or vetted by the organization. Complete with cited sources, the platform strives to be a credible resource for educators everywhere.
Excitement for a program such as this is highly anticipated as the Oregon Department of Education stated, “…educators can get tailored guidance to improve their teaching, from tips on ways to use technology to support learning, to strategies to create more inclusive learning experiences.”
Con: May Cause Unavoidable Cheating & Plagiarism
As previously mentioned, cheating and plagiarism is a major concern. Students may build a dependency on shortcuts such as ChatGPT and stunt their ability to fully grasp concepts. The Oregon Department of Education stated, “As generative AI does provide written responses to prompts, this concern has led a number of districts across the nation toward banning the platform due to a concern for cheating and plagiarism.”
Is this issue even avoidable outside of school? How can schools ensure proper usage, if any? A vital aspect of learning is utilizing critical thinking skills to conceptualize, understand, and retain information. Generative AI may pose a threat to that process.
Pro: Can Perform Efficient Routine Tasks, Saving Time
According to Structural Learning, emerging technologies and platforms can help educators with tasks such as grading and even offer student feedback. These programs are based on preset rubrics and criteria, offering consistency and 24/7 access to feedback for students. Some systems can even recognize patterns in assignments and give teachers insight as to what exactly a student may be struggling with. The major benefit of these programs is that they save teachers time, giving them more bandwidth to focus on other areas of the classroom.
Con: Lacking Equity of Access
Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, some people are excluded from certain resources which further hinders them from fully participating in a situation or process. In relation to artificial intelligence, Campus Technology stated, “Though AI has several potential benefits, there are significant hurdles to making AI learning solutions genuinely equitable for all learners.”
Major disparities in technology and internet access across different demographic groups are the cause of this issue. For example, Pew Research Center conducted a study finding that ~25% of adults with annual household incomes below $30K do not own a smartphone, and over 40% lack high-speed internet. On top of that, further inequalities vary significantly along racial and geographic lines.
This highlights a digital divide; some individuals won’t have access to AI at all while others may leverage it, potentially having an advantage over those who don’t.
Pro: AI-Powered Educational Games
Since the early days of computer gaming, teachers have long recognized the value of play-based learning. Thanks to user-responsive programming, targeting learning programs exist. According to Hyperspace, AI is transforming game design by providing more personalized learning experiences and outcomes. The platform states, “Natural Language Processing (NLP), a subfield of AI, has allowed digital learning games to interpret and process language, enabling more interactive and personalized experiences for students.”
AI powered educational games can even use virtual and augmented reality to transfer individuals to simulated worlds, creating an engaging and immersive learning experience.
Con: Can Lead to Biases & Inaccuracies
Though there are many benefits to using these programs for brainstorming and content creation, one must beware that not all information produced by AI is accurate. Additionally, since these programs are based on large data sets, results may be subject to biases. With that said, generative AI must always be used as a starting point as opposed to the destination for content creation—a note that many students may miss if they’re using it to complete assignments.
Generative AI presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges in the classroom. While it offers tools to support educators, it raises concerns about equity, ethical use, and potential biases. The key is mastering how to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks. Ultimately, the future of generative AI in education will depend on how well we balance innovation with the fundamental need to preserve critical thinking, integrity, and equity in learning environments.
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