As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gain momentum, IT teams in K–12 education are exploring ways to harness its potential. However, the enthusiasm must be tempered with critical evaluation. Here are five essential questions educators and administrators must ask before integrating AI tools into their systems.
1. Is the Tool a Security Risk?
AI applications often interact with sensitive student and staff data, potentially exposing them to breaches or misuse. Many tools lack robust security frameworks, making them unsuitable for direct use in schools. It’s safer to begin with internal-use-only tools that minimise risk before expanding access to students and teachers.
2. Are the Costs Justifiable?
Unlike standard software, AI systems often incur significant operational costs, whether hosted locally or in the cloud. Decision-makers should calculate both upfront and recurring expenses, ensuring the budget can support sustained use. Without clear financial planning, AI projects may become unsustainable.
3. Could Training the AI Introduce Bias?
Large language models (LLMs) depend on vast datasets, which may reflect existing social biases. When fed into an AI tool, these biases can skew outputs — such as generating curriculum recommendations based on inappropriate factors like race. It is crucial to vet training data and ensure it aligns with equitable education practices.
4. Is AI the Right Solution?
Not every problem requires an AI-driven answer. During the blockchain craze, many institutions applied the technology inappropriately. AI now faces a similar risk. Schools must evaluate whether AI offers a meaningful benefit over simpler, more effective solutions — and avoid projects driven purely by trendiness.
5. Is the Use of AI Ethical?
Some AI applications treat users as part of the ongoing development process, potentially exposing them to harm or unintended consequences. It is essential to assess the ethical dimensions of AI use, ideally through a formal ethics review, to ensure all stakeholders are protected.
AI holds immense promise, but its application in education demands thoughtful scrutiny. By asking the right questions early, schools can adopt AI tools responsibly, securely, and effectively.
