As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in education, a paradox is emerging: While many teachers are using A.I. to streamline their work, they remain deeply concerned about students relying on it for assignments.
A recent New York Times report highlights how educators are grappling with the ethical dilemmas of A.I. in schools—balancing its potential to save time with fears that it could undermine learning.
A recent New York Times report highlights how educators are grappling with the ethical dilemmas of A.I. in schools—balancing its potential to save time with fears that it could undermine learning.
Teachers Love A.I. for Grading, Tutoring, and Lesson Planning
Many educators are turning to A.I. to handle administrative burdens, allowing them to focus more on students. Some key ways teachers are using the technology include:
"I am more pro-A.I.-literacy than I am pro-A.I.-use," said Gold, who emphasizes transparency with students about how and why he uses the technology.
- Automated Grading: Tools like MagicSchool and Brisk Teaching provide instant feedback on student writing, reducing grading time.
- Personalized Learning: A.I. can tailor assignments to student interests—for example, adjusting math problems to feature sports or dance themes.
- Lesson Planning: Teachers like Jon Gold, a history instructor in Providence, R.I., use ChatGPT to condense readings or generate sample essays for instructional purposes.
"I am more pro-A.I.-literacy than I am pro-A.I.-use," said Gold, who emphasizes transparency with students about how and why he uses the technology.
Students Are Using A.I. Differently—And It’s Causing Concern
While teachers see A.I. as a productivity tool, students often use it to bypass learning. Popular math apps like PhotoMath and Google Lens provide step-by-step solutions, making it easy for students to copy answers without understanding the work.
"It’s just too easy," said Mike Sullivan, a middle school math teacher in Brockton, Mass., who has caught students using A.I. during quizzes. Alex Baron, an administrator at a Washington, D.C., charter school, considers some of these apps a form of cheating. However, he acknowledges that A.I. can be valuable for analyzing student data and grouping them for targeted support.
"It’s just too easy," said Mike Sullivan, a middle school math teacher in Brockton, Mass., who has caught students using A.I. during quizzes. Alex Baron, an administrator at a Washington, D.C., charter school, considers some of these apps a form of cheating. However, he acknowledges that A.I. can be valuable for analyzing student data and grouping them for targeted support.
The Ethical Dilemma: Is It Fair for Teachers to Use A.I. If Students Can’t?
One of the biggest tensions in education right now is whether it’s hypocritical for teachers to use A.I. for grading while restricting student use.
In Texas, automated essay scoring on state tests has sparked controversy after some students received lower grades than expected. When Dallas school officials requested regrades for 4,600 essays, nearly half saw score improvements.
Despite these concerns, Dallas Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde says schools must teach students how to use A.I. responsibly. "It’s irresponsible to not teach it," she said. "We are preparing kids for their future."
With $1.5 billion invested in A.I. education tools over the past two years, companies are aggressively marketing products like tutoring bots and automated grading systems. But some educators worry these tools could replace human interaction—the core of effective teaching.
"I really want the teacher to be reading students’ work and helping them become better writers," said Baron. "I want school leaders to observe teacher practice." As A.I. evolves, schools will continue wrestling with how to integrate it ethically—ensuring it supports, rather than supplants, meaningful learning.
In Texas, automated essay scoring on state tests has sparked controversy after some students received lower grades than expected. When Dallas school officials requested regrades for 4,600 essays, nearly half saw score improvements.
Despite these concerns, Dallas Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde says schools must teach students how to use A.I. responsibly. "It’s irresponsible to not teach it," she said. "We are preparing kids for their future."
With $1.5 billion invested in A.I. education tools over the past two years, companies are aggressively marketing products like tutoring bots and automated grading systems. But some educators worry these tools could replace human interaction—the core of effective teaching.
"I really want the teacher to be reading students’ work and helping them become better writers," said Baron. "I want school leaders to observe teacher practice." As A.I. evolves, schools will continue wrestling with how to integrate it ethically—ensuring it supports, rather than supplants, meaningful learning.