Experts weigh costs, benefits of using artificial intelligence in education

Experts weigh costs, benefits of using artificial intelligence in education

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common part of the educational experience, helping students explain difficult concepts, brainstorm ideas and create study guides in seconds.

But while AI can make learning more convenient, experts warn that relying on it too heavily could come at a cost.

A Pew Research Center study conducted in February found 64% of teens say they have used AI chatbots. More than half said they use them to find information and help with schoolwork, while 59% said AI cheating happens regularly at their school.

Researchers at the USC Center for Generative AI and Society have also raised concerns about how students use the technology, finding that many college students turn to AI for quick answers rather than deeper learning. Still, many educators believe AI has the potential to improve student outcomes when used thoughtfully.

Kendall Hartley, a professor of educational technology at UNLV, said AI is not necessarily changing the way people learn, but it is changing the tools available to complete educational tasks.

He said the key for students is understanding why they are using AI in the first place.

Hartley said AI can be useful for critiquing writing, making suggestions and helping students better understand difficult concepts. However, he encourages students to start with their own words and ideas before using AI as a tool to support their work.

“They need to think about if it's there to support their learning, then there's certainly a way to use it and even to prompt the AI tool in a way that will encourage learning and understanding as opposed to just getting answers,” Hartley said.

Hartley said the biggest concern is students becoming too dependent on AI to do their thinking for them. While students may see better grades on AI-assisted assignments, he said some research suggests that success may not always translate when students are tested on their own.

“The goal should be to use the technology as a tool to support learning, not as a substitute for it,” Hartley said.

As AI becomes more common in classrooms and on college campuses, experts say students and educators will need to find ways to use the technology while continuing to build critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity.