This week we discussed how to ensure the use of AI in our classrooms is of an ethical intent. I took the opportunity to use chat GPT to evaluate myself just how much of an advantage it can give me at answering the following prompt: What strategies can we employ as educators to teach the ethical and productive use of AI? The response I was given is below.

Teaching the ethical and productive use of AI is crucial to ensuring that students understand the responsible application of this powerful technology. Here are some strategies for educators:

  1. Incorporate Ethical Discussions into the Curriculum:
    • Integrate discussions about ethical considerations related to AI into your lessons. Explore topics such as bias in algorithms, privacy concerns, and the social impact of AI technologies.
  2. Case Studies and Real-World Examples:
    • Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate both positive and negative impacts of AI. This can help students understand the complexities and consequences of AI applications.
  3. Hands-On Projects:
    • Assign projects that involve building or implementing AI systems. This hands-on experience allows students to grapple with ethical considerations in a practical way, fostering a deeper understanding.
  4. Guest Speakers and Industry Experts:
    • Invite guest speakers or industry experts to talk about their experiences and perspectives on ethical AI. Hearing from professionals in the field can provide valuable insights and practical advice.
  5. Interdisciplinary Approach:
    • Integrate AI education into various subjects to emphasize its multidisciplinary nature. Discuss AI applications in science, mathematics, social studies, and ethics to show its broad impact.
  6. Teach Critical Thinking Skills:
    • Emphasize critical thinking skills to help students evaluate the ethical implications of AI technologies. Encourage them to question assumptions, analyze information critically, and consider diverse perspectives.
  7. Promote Diversity and Inclusion:
    • Discuss the importance of diversity in AI development and its impact on avoiding bias. Encourage students to think about how diverse perspectives contribute to more ethical and inclusive AI solutions.
  8. Emphasize Responsible Data Use:
    • Highlight the significance of responsible data collection and use. Discuss the importance of obtaining informed consent, protecting privacy, and ensuring that data is used ethically.
  9. Stay Updated on AI Developments:
    • As an educator, stay informed about the latest developments in AI and its ethical considerations. This knowledge will enable you to provide accurate and relevant information to your students.
  10. Encourage Open Dialogue:
    • Foster an open and respectful classroom environment where students feel comfortable discussing ethical dilemmas related to AI. Encourage debate and dialogue to promote a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
  11. Assessment of Ethical Implications:
    • Include assessments that require students to evaluate the ethical implications of AI technologies. This can be through essays, presentations, or other assignments that prompt critical thinking.
  12. Promote Lifelong Learning:
    • Instill a mindset of lifelong learning in students. The field of AI is rapidly evolving, and it’s crucial for students to understand that staying informed and adapting to new ethical challenges is an ongoing process.

By implementing these strategies, educators can play a vital role in preparing students to use AI ethically and responsibly in their future endeavors.

As can be seen the answer is very elaborate and thorough. To be honest it introduced me to concepts that I hadn’t yet considered, making me realize that chat GPT can be a marvellous source of novel information but this simplicity of knowledge production could easily be misused. The hard part of my role as a teacher is being able to ensure that I am aware of how Chat GPT presents its information. As the more knowledgable on the software I am the better I will be at evaluating when a students work is not of their own production. Summaries of data provided by chat GPT will unfortunately be a common thing for me to be marking however the tool is now a part of students tool boxes and I will need to appreciate that they are allowed its use.