Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surged in popularity since the release of ChatGPT in November of 2022. The rapid development of this new technology has left the world with several questions about the justification and consequences of using it in academic settings. Text-based generative AI learns by using information from all over the internet to inform its responses. This can result in misinformation due to the lack of fact-checking in the learning process. On the other hand, AI can provide fast and comprehensive information that can be an extremely useful tool in an academic setting. Whether or not AI is ethical to use in schools, kids are using it. 19% of US students age 13-17 admit to using ChatGPT in their schoolwork. 

Audrey Winsor, a senior at Bishop O’Dowd High School says this about AI “As far as school goes, knowing how to write an essay, knowing how to solve math problems, and knowing how to collect research are valuable skills. Even if you have AI and you could do it easier, why would you not want to learn how to have that skill? You are paying 25k a year. Why would you not want to learn how to have these skills?” Audreys take on AI aligns with the 52% of Americans who are more concerned than excited about AI. 

This same disapproval of AI’s like ChatGPT in school is shared by Erica Bryant, an English teacher at Bishop O’Dowd High School.  “In school, I would say please use your brain as much as possible because there’s already so many influencers telling us what to buy, where to shop… we’re waiting for someone to tell us what to wear, how to feel about a political candidate… so, on the one hand, I feel like we should stay as far away from this thing [AI] as we can protect you little noodle and be thinking on your own as much as possible” Whether or not AI has the potential to be used as a tool in school, maybe we should be prioritizing our ability to build our own skill set and think for ourselves overtaking the easiest way.