Comp Sci High, located in the Bronx, is focused on preparing its students for future high-tech jobs by providing personal and professional skills. The school sees itself as a means of economic freedom in the South Bronx, aiming to expose its diverse student body to industry professionals and real-world work experiences. Despite efforts to bring in experts from top tech companies to discuss AI as a tool for education, some teachers have been hesitant to embrace the technology, fearing it may replace them.
AI is gaining popularity among educators, with many teachers using it for lesson planning, instructional materials, and creative work. However, adoption in the classroom has been slow, with concerns about AI being bad for students and potentially replacing teachers. Initiatives like the “Lifting Up Black Voices: Inspiring Bold Solutions” forum aim to address these concerns and explore how AI can enhance and personalize instruction, as well as promote equity in education.
Educators like Jornea Armant see AI as a tool with the potential to level the playing field in education, serving as a tutor, translator, or virtual assistant for students and teachers. Perpetual Balfour emphasizes the importance of collecting diverse data to ensure AI supports all students, not just a specific population. Despite initial hesitance, Comp Sci High’s principal Iris Adler believes that embracing AI is crucial for preparing students for the future, and she is making AI training a priority at her school.
Iris Adler encourages her team to see AI as a supplement, rather than a replacement for teachers. She believes that empowering her school community to confidently use AI will help students lead successful, tech-enabled lives. While there may be initial challenges and fears surrounding AI, educators like Iris and experts like Jornea and Perpetual are working towards ensuring that AI is used effectively and inclusively in education.