Artificial intelligence is appearing in many American schools as districts and companies roll out new classroom tools. This year Google and Microsoft announced major investments in AI training for teachers to support classroom practice.
Katie Davis, a University of Washington professor and codirector of the Center for Digital Youth, studies how technology affects young people. Her long experience as an elementary teacher and a professor shapes her view of how past technology changes affected teaching.
A University of Washington-led research team interviewed 22 teachers in a Colorado district that is investing heavily in AI. The district is using systems such as Google’s Gemini and MagicSchool, an AI tool that helps plan lessons. Teachers said AI could reduce workload for routine tasks, but they also worried it might weaken important social aspects of teaching and change classroom interactions.
The researchers presented their findings at a major computing conference. Davis warned that technologies that seem to increase access can sometimes widen disparities. More study and careful policies will be needed to protect equity and teacher–student relationships.
Difficult words
- investment — money or resources put into somethinginvestments
- codirector — a person who leads together with another
- interview — to ask someone questions for informationinterviewed
- reduce — to make something smaller or less
- workload — the amount of work a person must do
- disparity — a difference that shows unfair inequalitydisparities
- equity — fair treatment and equal chances for all
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could AI tools help teachers in your school or community? Give one or two examples.
- What problems might happen if technologies widen disparities between students? Explain briefly.
- What policies or rules could schools use to protect teacher–student relationships when they adopt AI tools?
Related articles
AI audio summaries of research can help — and err
Researchers tested Google’s NotebookLM, which turns research papers into podcast-style audio. The summaries were engaging and clearer for teaching, but every audio overview contained mistakes, so the authors advise reading the original papers to check claims.
