EAST LANSING — It is not a matter of if or when artificial intelligence will be utilized in public schools. It’s a matter of how schools respond now that it’s here.

AI has arrived, and MEA members have explained how its use in schools can be a tool to help educators do their jobs and prepare their students for success and careers. Used properly, AI can be adapted to education to improve creativity, enhance learning and save time, members said.

Jackson College professors Steven Tuckey and Mark Ott understand that AI is here whether educators are ready or not, and schools need to learn how to use the technology in a safe and smart manner and develop guidelines for its use in the classroom.

“Two years ago, artificial intelligence seemed like a technology of the future, something theoretical that we’d have a while to prepare for,” Tuckey said. “Like it or not, AI has arrived and is rapidly evolving, and educators need to learn how to integrate it into the classroom to help their students succeed.”

Central Michigan University Professor Gabrielle Likavec works with aspiring educators who will have to determine when — and when not — to use AI, and how it should be used and properly cited. Likavec is concerned that AI-detection technology cannot effectively or accurately reveal to teachers when students are copying or cheating on assignments. She said educators can counter this by regularly communicating with students about how to properly utilize AI technology – and when to leave it alone.

“AI presents an exciting opportunity, but teachers and students need to prepare for the challenge,” Likavec said.  “When AI is used ethically and responsibly it can enhance education, but teachers need to have an open dialogue with students about when and how AI should be used. Teachers must also equip their students to effectively use and evaluate AI, ensuring that the work produced is accurate, non-biased, and appropriate to the purpose.”

Dr. Kecia Waddell, special education teacher at Utica Community Schools is already using AI in her classroom, and Waddell is particularly excited about how AI can be used to help her special education students succeed in the classroom and beyond.

“AI democratizes education, and gives educators a unique opportunity to embrace this technology and learn its many real-world applications to help reach their students,” Waddell said. “AI is part of a ‘Swiss army knife’ approach to education. It’s one tool of many that, when used responsibly, can help students learn and succeed.”

Saginaw Valley State University professors J. Blake Johnson and Phillip Hanson believe artificial intelligence has tremendous potential to enhance creativity, but only if humans shape the technology and set parameters for its use. Faculty at SVSU are seeking a National Science Foundation grant to advance AI integration in the university’s computer science and creative disciplines and conduct an empirical study of the impact on student learning outcomes.

“Instead of focusing on the fears of job loss due to AI adoption, let’s focus on preparing students for the jobs of the future. Help them learn how to use the technology in concert with their critical thinking,” Johnson said. “Students need to adapt and learn how to incorporate AI constructively and safely in order to be prepared for the future.”

Allison O’Connell, Kent City Community Schools elementary school teacher, is researching AI’s potential to help students succeed and to help teachers work more efficiently. She recently worked with a University of Michigan digital consortium that has begun experimenting with AI to grade students’ work. O’Connell believes AI has great potential to help special education students and English Language Learners succeed.

“Between a long commute, a second job, and  already working past contract hours, I’m always looking for ways to free up time,” O’Connell said. “By utilizing AI, I am starting to find a better balance between my work life and personal life. I feel hopeful in the future that AI can alleviate some of the burnout teachers feel so we can be present inside and outside of the classroom.”

Media interested in interviews with the MEA members can contact Christopher Behnan at cbehnan@byrumfisk.com.