BUFFALO, N.Y. — Schools across New York state are trying to grasp how to teach students how to use artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly.
That includes the Grand Island Central School District, where students are being shown the different ways to use Gemini Notebook and other AI engines.
“Teachers warn us not to just use it to get answers. But I think that if we keep using sources like these, we can figure out how to just keep our learning going while being able to do it on our own,” said senior Mackenzie Gallagher.
Grand Island Central School District Superintendent Brian Graham says students who struggle with learning comprehension or even dyslexia can use the AI chatbots to succeed in the classroom.
“When you have 24 children in your classroom who are reading at different levels, it’s just so important to have tools that allow them to differentiate and personalize those experiences,” said Graham.
Although there are many concerns about the impact of the usage AI may have on young minds, especially with Senate bills like 10133, the FOCUS Act and legislation that would limit screen time for young students, professors at the University at Buffalo say the new technology isn’t going anywhere.
“I’ve recognized there’s a lot of fear and concern around AI, and I think that’s because people feel maybe now more than ever, a loss of control, that they don’t have the agency to make important decisions, to have control over their own lives,'” said Assistant Professor at UB Sam Abramovich. “You want students to ask a good question. Do you want young people to be able to understand and how to build and train, to ask good questions? We can start that right away. Now, that doesn’t mean put a chatbot in front of even young kids, but it does mean teaching those basic skills.”