Today's AI anxiety resembles the ‘90s internet panic: How new technology should be seen as an education tool, not a threat.

read time | 7 minutes

who | Thato Kakole

In The Fairly OddParents (a popular kids' television series from the '00s), Cosmo and Wanda are magical beings who grant wishes to help Timmy work through his problems, not eliminate them completely. There were limits to the wishes that Cosmo and Wanda could grant as specified in the constitution of the Magic World called "Da Rules". Timmy still had to think about how to solve his problems. In many ways, AI (artificial intelligence) is like these fairy godparents—helpful, but not without some perceived risks. People think that students will use AI to avoid applying their minds and in other irresponsible ways (like cheating on tests and assignments). But just as Cosmo and Wanda's magic was there to help Timmy learn and grow, AI can be used positively to help students in their education.

Today’s AI fears vs. the 90s internet panic

The internet first became widely accessible in the ‘90s. Some people were excited about the new possibilities that the internet could offer. The internet was touted as the technology that would revolutionize education, but many others had serious concerns.  Parents, educators, psychologists, journalists, and other professionals were worried that students and learners would be exposed to an overload of misinformation, and spit out whatever answers they found on the web as their own in assignments. They believed the internet would encourage laziness and instant gratification and kill social connections, critical thinking, and creativity.

In reality, the internet made the processes of learning and education less tedious and more simple. Students can now access academic search engines and databases with relevant, factual information. Educators can now easily investigate any possible plagiarism with a quick Google search, and students now have access to up-to-date information, unlike when encyclopedias were at their peak. Online communities make it easy to share ideas, skills, inspiration, and feedback.

Today, AI is viewed similarly to how the internet was seen in the ‘90s. People have fears about how others can misuse it. Like with the internet, people believe that AI will reduce critical thinking, encourage asocial behavior, and become a potential threat to job security.

Putting AI Anxiety to rest

People’s concerns are valid but there are barely any discussions about the value AI can offer education. 

1. Customized learning experience: AI can tailor learning material to the individual’s level of understanding. ChatGPT can be used to translate or simplify complex texts to relate to a student's passions and skills. AI-powered applications can identify a student's strengths and weaknesses by analyzing their performance, which can help educators better support students in their learning. The United Arab Emirates is gearing up to implement AI-powered tech in schools. Students will have an AI tutor that helps them learn based on their learning styles.

2. Accessibility: AI can make learning easier for students with disabilities or learning difficulties by providing tools like speech-to-text, translation, or visual aids, making education more inclusive. Morten Rand-Hendriksen shares on his personal website about his struggles in school and how he would have used  AI technology to assist him for example reading text out loud (like an audio), or generating flashcards and quizzes to get ahead of his dyslexia.

3. Admin Assistance for Educators: AI can take care of repetitive tasks like attendance, scheduling, and data analysis, freeing up time for teachers to focus on more important tasks like direct interaction with students and curriculum development. According to Lauraine Langreo, a staff writer at Education Week, a third of K-12 educators use AI-powered tools in their classes. A teacher in Texas said they used ChatGPT to plan lessons and write letters to parents. Another teacher in New Jersey admitted to being excited about integrating AI technology in schools. 

How Educators Can Adapt and Integrate AI

1. Brightspace Insights and Edulastic are AI-powered tools that can keep track of students’ academic  performance. Teachers can monitor students’ progress, address concepts that they find challenging, and make informed decisions when planning lessons.

2. AI platforms like Padlet and Minecraft: Education Edition promote collaboration and engagement. Padlet enables students to participate in group projects, discussions, and peer-to-peer learning while tracking each student’s contributions. The educational games and simulations in Minecraft: Education Edition provide immersive, interactive experiences that develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

3. There are AI tools that assist teachers as well.  Classcraft and Gradescope make classroom management and grading more efficient. Classcraft tracks student behavior, offers insights to improve classroom dynamics, and encourages positive interactions through gamification. Gradescope automatically grades and gives feedback for objective assessments like quizzes and multiple-choice questions which saves educators time.

As we move further into the digital age, there’s no denying that AI is here to stay and will reshape education. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, we should embrace its ability to enhance education, ensuring that students and educators alike can thrive in a future where technology works for us, not against us.