Humans are constantly seeking to simplify their daily tasks, a fundamental drive that invariably leads to the creation of tools. This innate desire stretches back to our earliest ancestors and the invention of the hammer — a tool so fundamental it predates humanity itself. The earliest forms of hammers, simple yet effective rocks, emerged over three million years ago, gradually evolving into the sophisticated versions we use today.
Every tool possesses two crucial aspects. First, there is its functionality — what it can achieve. A hammer, for instance, can both construct and deconstruct. Second, and equally vital, is the skill and knowledge of its users. The same tool can yield vastly different outcomes depending on the proficiency of the individual wielding it. Consider a master builder constructing a house with a set of tools versus an amateur attempting the same feat. The results will be dramatically different, highlighting how expertise amplifies a tool’s potential.
Embracing AI: A Powerful New Tool, Not a Sci-Fi Threat The advent of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has, understandably, sparked apprehension. Its capabilities often feel plucked from the pages of science fiction. However, reframing AI as a tool can alleviate much of this anxiety. Like any powerful instrument, AI carries risks if misused, but in skilled hands, it offers unprecedented efficiency and time-saving benefits.
By viewing AI as a powerful tool, we can fundamentally shift our approach and unlock its immense potential. We simply do not have the luxury of avoiding this perspective because AI already is here and will continue to permeate every facet of our lives. It is a technology our children will grow up with, making understanding and responsible use paramount.
AI in Education: Empowering Educators and Students How are educators already leveraging AI? The applications are diverse and rapidly expanding. They include:
- Lesson plan development: AI can generate initial drafts of lesson plans, saving teachers valuable time that can then be dedicated to customizing content for specific student needs.
- Administrative efficiency: School administrators can use AI to draft communications to parents and the community and streamline tasks like synthesizing survey data or strategic planning input — processes that were once incredibly time consuming.
- Operational support: Some districts are exploring AI for complex tasks such as budget development and optimizing transportation routes. The possibilities are endless.
However, the responsible use of AI extends to students as well. School districts must establish clear guidelines for both teachers and staff, defining appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI.
Navigating the New Landscape: Training and Awareness New Jersey’s Department of Education recently awarded grants to districts specifically for integrating AI into their curricula, including dedicated AI courses. This proactive step underscores the state’s recognition of AI’s power and potential, an acknowledgement that districts nationwide also must embrace.
Just as power saws and nail guns revolutionized construction by increasing speed and efficiency, they also introduced new dangers, necessitating rigorous safety training. AI, as an even more powerful technological tool, demands comprehensive education about its benefits, drawbacks and potential risks. These include generating false information-known as hallucinations, facilitating deepfakes and enabling cyberbullying. Such concerns only amplify the urgent need to train our students in the responsible use of AI.
Generative AI, in the grand timeline of human innovation, is but a fleeting moment. Yet, its development will outpace that of the hammer by an extraordinary margin. Just as carpenters are synonymous with hammers and plumbers with wrenches, all professionals in education, regardless of their role, will increasingly become skilled in properly using AI.
A mere year or two ago, AI felt like a distant possibility. Today, it is a present reality, and it’s here to stay. Indeed, AI is now an indispensable tool in everyone’s toolbox.
Ray Pinney is NJSBA’s Chief Membership Engagement Officer. He can be reached at rpinney@njsba.org.
