1 in 4 U.S. Teachers say AI Tools Do More Harm Than Good in K-12 Education

As AI tools enter the classroom, many K-12 teachers remain skeptical, according to a recent survey from Pew Research Center. Conducted in fall 2023, the survey found that a quarter of public K-12 teachers believe AI tools do more harm than good in the classroom.

By the numbers: High school teachers are more skeptical than their elementary and middle school counterparts.

• 35% of high school teachers view AI tools negatively.
• 24% of middle school teachers and 19% of elementary school teachers share this view.
• Fewer than one in ten teachers at all levels see AI tools as more beneficial than harmful.

Going deeper: An EdWeek Research Center survey of district leaders, school leaders, and teachers found that 48% are already using AI to do their jobs. The most common use, according to the survey, is creating lesson plans, presentations, and other resources for students. Tools like Merlyn Mind’s AI-powered assistant and Code.org’s AI grading tool are helping educators save time. [EducationWeek; Fast Company]

“We are very early in the awareness and use of AI in schools, so attitudes and opinions about AI will shift greatly as more educators learn about and use it. For now, consider surveys on AI as brief snapshots in time. Pay attention to the survey dates and how the data points evolve. Most respondents’ attitudes were likely based on perception rather than practical use or understanding of AI. In these early days of Gen AI in classrooms, we need to interpret these results as a call for greater AI literacy,” says Pat Yongpradit, chief academic officer of Code.org and lead of TeachAI.

Zoom in: Teens are already using AI tools like ChatGPT in their schoolwork. Nearly 1 in 5 teens familiar with ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork. Usage is higher among 11th and 12th graders (24%) compared to 9th and 10th graders (17%) and 7th and 8th graders (12%).

The bottom line: AI’s role in education is a hot topic, with teachers and students divided on its benefits and drawbacks. Ongoing dialogue and evaluation are crucial as these technologies continue to evolve in our schools.