For generations society had teetered between its love and fear of rapidly-developing technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest craze and its existence and integration into various sectors, including education, has sparked widespread debate. And while a majority of public discourse is chiefly pointed at the cons of AI, there are those who see an upside to the technology.

The Nevada Association of School Administrators is a nonprofit organization that serves the state’s pre-K through 12 educators. The group hosts professional learning workshops and conferences on a variety of topics for all positions within school districts—and have recently added focused courses on AI. The Weekly spoke with Jeffrey Geihs, the association’s executive director, to gather insight on AI in Nevada schools.

What are the current discussions around the utilization of AI systems at school?

The controversy around [AI] is starting to diminish as time goes on, just like with any new technology that comes about. I remember when computers started being used more heavily in schools; there was controversy around that. I remember when it started to be commonplace with every student having a cellphone, especially an iPhone—there’s certainly still controversy around that.

And that’s why the Nevada Association of School Administrators has hosted many workshops and conferences on AI—to get ahead of the issue?

The reality is that it’s here and it’s not going anywhere. It’s getting used more and the fear is kids can use it to cheat. But there’s another reality—there are systems that schools and teachers can utilize to screen student work to make sure that they’re not cheating.

Are there ways for AI to be ethically used in schools?

AI can tailor educational experiences for individual kids. Teachers are working smarter, not harder, by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the kids, so that they can customize support.

Teachers can use it for administrative tasks, like grading, scheduling and managing student records, allowing more time to focus on lesson planning and instruction. That is the second aspect of it that I’ve seen our people really enhance. And they’ve really talked about some of the ways they can utilize virtual tutors. Also, what’s really cool about interactive simulations … you can’t always travel to some of the places you’re studying, but AI lets kids see it, so it brings in that enrichment experience.

At what grade levels are we most likely to see AI being used?

It’s more typical at the secondary level, where students are asked to write more and produce more written narrative materials.

Many people are focusing on the cons of AI, but you bring up a lot of surprising pros.

Yes, well, AI will never replace teachers. AI or any of these other software tools that we use to be more sophisticated in diagnosing where kids are with their proficiency, meeting where they are, using them to improve proficiency levels, and monitoring those tools—none of those are replacements for teachers.

AI cannot manage classrooms. AI cannot create a positive climate and culture in a classroom. You always remember how someone makes you feel, right? AI cannot do that.

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