AI conversations with teachers: should AI be used in classrooms?

For today's iteration of 'AI Conversations with Teachers,' we spoke with Winston Roberts, AKA Teacher in a Suit, who’s not only an educator, but an advocate for responsible AI adoption in the classroom. After meeting GPTZero CEO, Edward, at ASU-GSV, Winston posted on LinkedIn, “I was looking forward to debating CEO Edward Tian on AI detection tools. To my surprise, GPTZero is pivoting to focus on teaching students responsible use over punishment - a refreshing approach.”

We sat down with Winston to unpack his thoughts on AI detection and his unique forward-thinking perspective on AI in the classroom. 

Watch the live interview and read the highlights below: 

Q: We absolutely loved your LinkedIn post talking with Edward, CEO of GPTZero on AI detection. What was your outlook on AI detection before and after meeting Edward?

A:  When I first encountered ChatGPT and AI, I knew it was going to change everything, but particularly education. I wanted to make sure that my students weren’t getting left behind if they didn’t have a chance to use these tools. I knew that this is going to be a tool that’s going to solve the worlds’ problems and I didn’t see a world that made sense to prohibit AI use for students. I think there are legitimate concerns that need to be addressed but I don’t think it’s an excuse to ban the tool because they are easily accessible. Teachers would come to me and say, “I think a student used AI, can you confirm or deny?” I used GPTZero to detect if a student used AI and I was a bit discouraged that teachers were going to think the solution is AI detection. For instance, when I saw the GPTZero booth at ASU-GSV I thought, “This is going to be great, I get to have some fun [and debate AI detection].” I was completely shocked when Edward said we don’t think the plagiarism model of punishing students is what AI detection is about. I actually filmed Edward on my Instagram. His message resonated with some and surprised others. When the CEO of the #1 AI detection tool comes out and says AI detection, punishment and plagiarism is not where this conversation needs to go, that’s really powerful. “Our major philosophical difference is we don’t think the plagiarism model of punishing students works anymore in the AI world. Once you know your students are using AI, the next evolution is not to punish students but to learn with them and teach them responsible AI usage,” Edward said in the instagram video below.

Q: How are other teachers navigating AI in the classroom?

A: It’s up to each individual teacher as AI policy in classrooms has not been set yet. AI is either banned all together or in progress of policies being put together. I came back to my school from the summer and AI use was banned across the board for everybody. Other teachers came to me asking what to do and I said, “I’ll have it unblocked by next week,” and they looked at me like I was crazy. I wrote an email with the help of AI to make my case. For students it’s still blocked right now however, we know kids will get around it. A story from my classroom: I had a student in my financial literacy class who is usually very shy and doesn’t want to present. However, he was excited about this presentation and when he presented I said, “This is very advanced, did you use AI for this?” And he said, “Yes I did.” So at this point I had an option, do I do what a lot of teachers would do and punish him? Normally he would have gotten up and walked out the classroom when I said it was time to present but the use of AI allowed him to feel empowered and confident to stand up in front of a room. I don’t see that as anything but a win. Since teachers don’t have AI policy coming from the district or any policy at all, they have to figure it out for themselves. As soon as schools understand this is where the job market is going and this is the real world and we have to prepare them for it, the better.

Q: How are you guiding students through the use of AI in the classroom and what recommendations do you have for other teachers?

A: I structure my classes in a way that if you use AI, it doesn’t really matter. My assignments aren't where students are going to sit down and copy the definition or write essays on a topic, we’re actually going to experiment and do the work. In this framework, you’re getting collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and if you want to use AI go for it. I think this is the direction education has to go in where we are more experimental and connected to the real world. To teachers that don’t have similar autonomy at this time, I would recommend understanding how students are using AI. For example, asking students: what prompts are you using? (that’s a writing lesson in itself) or telling them you’re responsible for any mistakes AI makes. 

Q: How can teachers leverage AI to personalize lessons?

A: I think we need to up-skill teachers so they are equipped to help students realize the full potential of AI and use tools effectively. There’s a study that teachers are the most burnt out workforce, second being to college professors. The average teacher gets 45 minutes of prep time so when you’re asked to create lessons, assessments, projects, rubrics, parent phone calls etc. a lot of things will get lost. If anyone’s had a tutor, you know what this 1:1 instruction can do for students. Students not using AI are stopping short of their full potential so we need to up skill teachers to help them realize their full potential. 

Q: What are students' thoughts around AI in the classroom?

A: Some are pessimistic about AI being able to take jobs but some are excited about the efficiency of it. People have mixed opinions about AI from what they hear on the news or from older generations. What I’m trying to do through my platform is get people to see that it’s not this big scary thing but a transformational tool that is already being used. It can help prepare students for the real world so they don’t get left behind whereas more affluent communities that are diving into AI will be able to shape the world. I can’t allow that to happen for my students where 90% of them are on reduced lunch and all either black or hispanic and too often these are the communities impacted.

Q: What’s one message you’d leave listeners with?

A: Bill Nye at ASU-GSV said we can use AI to change the world from blocking incoming asteroids to having limitless electricity for everyone and my question is, when we’re debating what equity looks like with AI who gets the share in the equity of those problems being solved? And are we going to prepare our students with access to the tools that will help them lead the world they’re going to inherit?