Introduction to AI in education
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming almost every sector, and education is no exception. From the promise of personalized learning and enhanced accessibility to concerns about academic integrity and overreliance, AI is at the forefront of critical conversations about the future of both teaching and learning. As AI tools become more integrated into daily life, instructors and students alike must understand how to use them purposefully and ethically. In this article we explore AI’s potential in education, identify some useful tools for instructors, and offer a set of best practices to guide responsible and effective AI integration into education.
What is artificial intelligence in education?
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of computer systems to simulate human-like cognitive capabilities such as learning, decision-making, and problem solving. Over the decades, advances in AI have given rise to powerful new AI tools, including a category known as generative AI (GenAI). This type of AI can create new content, such as text, code, images, audio, and video, by extrapolating from its training data.
While GenAI isn’t new, the release of ChatGPT in November 2022 drew public attention to the transformative potential of AI across education, work, and everyday life. Ensuring the greatest positive impact from that potential hinges on proficient, critical, and informed use of AI. Education has a responsibility to help students prepare not only for an AI‑integrated workforce but also for responsible and ethical engagement in an AI‑shaped world.
What is the role of AI in education?
When used with clear purpose and pedagogical intent, AI can enhance the learning environment and support more responsive, inclusive approaches to instruction.
Opportunities for AI in education
Critical thinking and digital literacy
Using AI in the classroom offers a natural opportunity to engage students in discussions about bias, misinformation, authorship, and ethical use enhancing their critical thinking and digital literacy skills.
Authentic assessment
AI can support the creation of real-world, context-rich assessment tasks — such as case studies or portfolio work — that allow students to demonstrate deeper understanding and applied skills.
Accessibility
AI can improve accessibility by providing automatic captioning, text-to-speech, and language translation, helping to create more inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all students.
Inclusion
AI can enhance inclusion by offering culturally responsive content, language translation, and adaptive learning pathways that reflect and respond to diverse student identities, backgrounds, and needs.
Student motivation
AI can boost student motivation through gamified learning experiences that incorporate elements like points, levels, challenges, and instant rewards, making learning more interactive, goal-oriented, and enjoyable.
Student engagement
Interactive AI applications, such as chatbots, simulations, and virtual tutors, can promote active participation and curiosity by enabling students to explore content in dynamic and responsive ways.
Data-informed support and early intervention
AI systems can analyze learning patterns and flag students who may be struggling, enabling more timely, personalized support and intervention to improve learning outcomes
Personalized learning experiences
AI-powered adaptive learning systems can tailor content, pacing, and feedback to individual student needs, helping learners progress at their own pace and focus on areas where they need the most support.
Feedback and formative assessment
AI can provide timely, specific, and iterative feedback that helps students monitor their progress, close learning gaps, and take ownership of their learning process.
Efficiency
By supporting or automating administrative tasks such as grading, feedback generation, composition, editing, and content organization, AI can free up instructor time for additional focus on teaching, mentoring, student support, and professional development.
What are the best AI tools for instructors?
Even the best tools require thoughtful use. Consider factors such as student privacy, academic integrity, the risk of over-reliance on automation, and the importance of transparent, inclusive integration of AI into learning environments before introducing AI into your teaching or learning environment.
AI Teaching Assistant Pro (ContactNorth)
AI Teaching Assistant Pro is an AI-powered instructional design and teaching support tool that helps instructors create lesson plans, learning objectives, assessments, and activities aligned with pedagogical best practices.
ChatGPT (Open AI)
ChatGPT can help instructors brainstorm ideas, generate examples, rewrite learning outcomes, and draft rubrics or lesson plans. Its flexibility and speed make it a powerful tool for instructional design and content development.
Copilot (Microsoft)/Gemini (Google)
These AI tools are built into Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, allowing instructors to quickly summarize documents, rewrite text, and generate slides or lesson outlines within familiar platforms.
Gradescope (by Turnitin)
Gradescope uses AI to assist with grading paper-based and online assessments, including written work and multiple-choice questions. It speeds up grading, improves consistency, and supports efficient feedback for large classes.
Perusall
Perusall encourages collaborative reading by allowing students to annotate course texts and respond to peers. Its AI identifies unclear sections and helps instructors address common misunderstandings.
Best practices for implementing AI in education
Effectively implementing AI in education requires more than just adopting new tools; it calls for intentional, informed choices. These best practices offer guidance for integrating AI in ways that enhance learning and uphold academic values.
- Use AI to enhance – not replace – human interaction: AI can support efficiency and personalization, but should not be a substitute for human relationships, mentorship, or dialogue. Prioritize tools that free up time for richer instructor–student or peer-to-peer engagement.
- Ensure accessibility and equity: When introducing AI tools to students, consider access, digital skills, and inclusivity. Aim to adopt tools that are freely available or institutionally supported, and provide guidance on how to use the tools to ensure all students benefit equitably.
- Ensure critical engagement with AI: Support students in questioning and analyzing AI-generated content, rather than accepting it at face value. This builds digital literacy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of course material.
- Align AI use with pedagogical goals: AI tools should be chosen and applied based on how well they support learning objectives, not just on novelty or convenience. Grounding use in pedagogy ensures that technology enhances, rather than distracts from, meaningful learning.
- Promote transparency and trust: Be clear with students about when, how, and why AI tools are used in your course. Transparency fosters trust, helps students understand boundaries, and encourages ethical engagement with the technology.
Future of AI in education
How can education empower students to thrive in an AI-shaped world? By inviting them to explore, use, question, and critique AI in supportive learning environments. Education has the power to equip students with the skills, judgment, and ethical awareness they need to navigate AI’s growing role in their lives. By fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and space for reflection, education can help students engage with AI in meaningful and responsible ways. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our educational practices—grounded in care, inclusivity, and a commitment to preparing students for an uncertain but opportunity-rich future.
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