– by Bradley Beth, Assistant Professor of Computer Science,
Vermont State University
Artificial Intelligence: What Is it, Really?
The term “Artificial Intelligence” is everywhere. It is difficult to turn on the TV or browse the Web without seeing news articles and advertisements touting the initialism “AI.” In fact, AI is now being used to create advertisements. Right now, Coca-Cola is heavily criticized in the news for its use of AI in the generation of a new holiday commercial. But, what is AI? More to the point—what does the term mean in current discourse? How is it likely to be used in education—as a helpful tool or as hindrance?
To be clear, AI is nothing new. Artificial Intelligence has been an active area of research for as long as we’ve had electronic computers. Various facets of it have trended over the years—under names like “machine learning,” “neural networks,” or “fuzzy logic.” The current flavor of AI is more accurately labeled generative artificial intelligence, with its focus on content creation, be it images, text, or video. It feels particularly impressive because it appears in many ways to actually be “intelligent” in the popular sense of the word. Is it intelligent?
How AI Can Support Educators
As educators, we tackle complex concepts like “learning” and “intelligence” every day. It is easy to conflate the different nuanced meanings of these words, but make no mistake—AI is not a replacement for human ingenuity, and it does not invalidate what educators do. In many ways, it highlights the importance of the educator, shining a light on the need for critical thinking in a world with increasing ambiguity.
That said, AI can be a fantastic tool for educators. Just as robots have become invaluable in the manufacturing sector—automating physical tasks and reducing the need for human effort—AI has the potential to offload some of the burden of mental tasks that make up some of the more lackluster aspects of our job, such as lesson planning, generating activities and assessments, or writing emails to home. Leveraging generative AI can make our lives easier.
Join the Conversation!
As part of the December 12 webinar of the free VT-HEC Speaker Series for New Middle and High School Educators, I will overview some of the potential of AI for supporting teaching in the K–12 classroom. In our January 16 workshop, Critical Use of AI in Classrooms, we will discuss what AI is and what it can do for us in greater detail, as well as its potential downsides, such as the implications of student use of AI for plagiarism and safety concerns around using AI in classroom activities.
Please join us!