Tech in the Classroom: Balancing the pros and cons of AI integration

The year 2023 has been a game-changer with the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), with ChatGPT leading the charge. This has stirred up a mix of excitement for the possibilities it brings and concerns about potential downsides, especially in global educational systems.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stresses the importance of ethical guidelines in the development of AI. Without these, there’s a risk that AI could perpetuate biases, fuel discrimination, and put fundamental human rights at risk. UNESCO is actively promoting media and information literacy (MIL) as a key tool for critical thinking and informed decision-making. Their Media and Information Literacy (MIL) program is working to equip educators with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the digital world.

As part of the Global MIL Week 2023 and supported by the EU-funded project “Building Trust in Media in South-East Europe: Support to Journalism as a Public Good,” the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe organised activities for teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A highlight was the webinar on October 26, titled “The use of AI in classrooms and its impact on MIL – Based on UNESCO approach.” This directly addressed UNESCO’s focus on MIL in the age of AI, exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-driven tools in classrooms.

UNESCO’s human-centered AI initiative is all about ensuring that technology acts as a bridge, not a barrier, fostering understanding and inclusivity in education. Borislav Vukojević, a key speaker at the webinar, emphasized the significance of AI and MIL in combatting misinformation. He pointed out that the combination of AI and MIL could either be a powerful asset or a vulnerability, aligning with UNESCO’s approach.

During the webinar, Dejan Klincov, a teacher from Banja Luka, shared insights, expressing both hope and concerns about AI tools. While he recognized the value of AI in saving time for preparing teaching materials, he also warned about the potential generation of inaccurate data. Klincov highlighted the misuse of AI tools by tech-savvy students for academic purposes, emphasizing the need for clear regulations to guide educators in evaluating work and addressing irregularities. He foresaw a shift in education towards understanding material and fostering critical thinking, thanks to the rapid access to information through AI.

Dalibor Savić, Vice Dean for Scholarly Research and Publishing Affairs at the University of Banja Luka, advocated for the institutionalization of AI usage in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s education system. He outlined the benefits, including personalized learning, bridging the digital divide, and the potential for efficient participatory learning models.

Another notable event was the workshop on “Human-centred Approach in using AI in Education,” co-organized with the University of Banja Luka. This workshop, aimed at educators, mentors, and professors, delved into the ethical considerations of AI in classrooms, emphasising a human-centric approach in design and implementation. Participants engaged with AI tools while focusing on human aspects, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the responsible use of AI in education.