School of thought: Is AI helping us cheat or learn?

Generative AI has changed the way that some students approach their schoolwork. What does it mean for the state of education when students can ask ChatGPT to write an essay or solve a math problem? Artificial intelligence is causing parents to worry, and governments are struggling to keep up with this rapidly advancing technology. Are there beneficial uses of AI in classrooms, or will it do more harm than good?

Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, says AI should be used as a support tool for teachers and students, saying that it can help students learn how to ask the right questions and provide personalized attention to supplement their traditional education. Khan Academy’s own AI tool, Khanmigo, was developed as a tutor that teaches problem solving instead of giving students the answers. On the other hand, Jacob Ward, author and science journalist, says that there are broader issues of economics at play. He argues that AI is often used for efficiency and cost cutting, making classrooms more bureaucratic and students less interested and equipped to learn. He also says it’s not yet clear if AI will help level the playing field in underdeveloped countries and communities or if unequal technological progress will create more imbalance. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as they debate the future of AI in education and what it means for progress.

Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson.