Is there too much AI in schools?

Local TV

Senedd Members are discussing the future of artificial intelligence in our schools. They’re asking whether we should embrace it, or if it’s taking over the way children learn.

Transcript

00:01Our children's schools are changing every year.

00:04New topics, new ideas, and possibly most importantly, new technology.

00:09The biggest advancement in recent years has clearly been the rise of AI.

00:13People are using it more and more in different workplaces

00:16and even in our everyday lives, it's cropping up more and more often.

00:20So, Senedd members are concerned about how it's being used in schools

00:24and whether we can make sure it's a benefit for our kids.

00:28It's clear that there's plenty of potential.

00:30What I'm particularly interested in is how the Welsh Government intends to stem over-reliance on AI,

00:36particularly among learners.

00:38There are a lot of unknowns here and a lot of gaps in the evidence,

00:41but a report commissioned by Oxford University Press published last month

00:46found that just 2% of students aged between 13 and 18 said they did not use AI for their schoolwork,

00:52while 80% said they regularly use it for their schoolwork.

00:57Of that same cohort, 62% said they believe AI is having a negative impact on their skills and development,

01:04effectively eroding their ability to research independently, study effectively and think creatively.

01:11When you make very important points there, obviously there's a balance, isn't there?

01:16There are benefits and there are risks and we're navigating new territory with all of these things.

01:23I commissioned the review of AI by Estyn and I think it's given us a much clearer picture of how this fast evolving technology is being used.

01:35We welcome the recommendations from Estyn and we've accepted them all and work to deliver these is underway.

01:44We've taken a sector-led approach in developing our Gen AI in education opportunities and considerations guidance for schools

01:53and we'll build on that by co-developing a national framework to support schools with strategic planning.

02:00Estyn has recently released a report into AI use in schools and that has found there are clear benefits from it.

02:07But it's the centre of the main argument around using artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI,

02:12which creates things using prompts. It can be used to help, but it certainly shouldn't be overused.

02:18Estyn's report found that generative AI offers real benefits for schools and workforce.

02:24It shared examples of schools using AI to boost engagement and improve efficiency.

02:30We've seen examples of schools using these tools in creative ways to personalise learning and support learners with complex needs

02:39and you'll probably have seen that there are some case studies in the report

02:43and I've asked to visit some of those schools to have a look at what they're doing.

02:48But obviously we also have to make sure that young people are able to think critically, that they don't over-depend on this technology.

03:00That's a good answer.

03:05Right.

03:06What are the names of people using AI use?

03:10You can pick up the app and check it out.

03:12It's an easy way to pick up the app.

03:15It's done here.

03:17You can find the app and check it out.

03:21It's done here.

03:22It's done for today.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended