The digital age is steering us swiftly into a time where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in almost everyone’s daily lives. AI’s influence on education is becoming more apparent with each semester. Recent research reveals that nine out of ten UK university students are now incorporating AI technology into their studies, compared to just one-third last year, clearly showcasing its growing prominence in the academic arena.
In the early stages of AI, its use in academia was somewhat feared, but now we are seeing a change in attitudes as the potential it brings for pedagogical innovation and personalised learning experiences is being realised. However, there are inherent challenges that students, educators, administrators and technologists must work together to address. Tackling these concerns head-on through education and open discourse is the only way experiences, such as AI-driven personalisation, can be brought into the classroom in a way that is beneficial, equitable and responsible.
The double-edged sword of AI in education
There is a dichotomy presented by the application of AI in academic settings. On one hand, it is a powerful tool that can improve students’ learning journeys by guiding research and fostering new levels of engagement. In the classroom, AI can be used to help break down complex concepts into digestible chunks of information, brainstorm and identify valid data.
Personalised learning tools are a particularly interesting subset of solutions. Edtech platforms enhanced with AI can analyse individual datasets and specific learning goals to adapt to each student’s learning pace and style. They can also provide immediate, bespoke feedback and additional support to enhance understanding and communication of a subject matter, without the teacher having to collect, mark and give feedback on periodic assignments. Not only does this empower students, but it provides teachers with powerful data-driven insights that allow them to identify knowledge gaps, recognise strengths and adapt teaching strategies accordingly.
On the other hand, there is a potential for AI to be misused as students may be tempted to leverage it to take shortcuts on their assignments and exploit the system. This is a pressing concern. When left unchecked, students may rely heavily on producing AI-generated content without engaging in critical thinking and original writing. This leads to the erosion of academic integrity. To get the most out of AI in education settings, an environment needs to be cultivated where these tools are used to augment learning, not undermine it.
Bridging AI knowledge gaps
Before being able to harness the power of AI, educators must be AI-literate themselves. Otherwise, they won’t be able to guide their students during their studies and help prepare them for the AI-driven world ahead of them. There is currently a disparity in AI adoption between students and educators, with 59% of students using AI versus 40% of teachers, according to Tyton’s 2024 Time for Class report. This needs to be bridged.
To deliver beneficial AI-augmented learning experiences, teachers must become active participants in shaping the way AI is used within curriculums. Educators need to understand AI’s mechanisms and potential in order to create assignments that are AI-resistant and encourage genuine learning.
Designing assignments for the age of AI
We are in a new era of learning, and therefore, traditional assessments need to be reimagined to focus on deeper analysis, creativity and the cultivation of new ideas. These are all elements that can’t be easily recreated by AI. There are a number of strategies which can help achieve this.
Prioritise AI literacy
Integrating AI literacy into the curriculum will ensure that both students and educators are familiar with the capabilities and limitations of AI. This will ensure that AI is being used productively in the classroom in a way that upholds academic integrity. Teachers can set tasks that make it clear where AI can be a supportive tool and where human elements need to be prioritised, giving clear guidance about what constitutes acceptable AI use.
Ask questions that are AI-resilient
When setting assignment questions, teachers should focus on spurring original ideas and personal reflection, which AI can’t recreate. Rubrics that identify key traits of displayed understanding, such as student voice, critical thinking and reasoning, sources and citations and personalisation, are a useful resource for this.
Process over product
Ask students to document the journey they went on to reach their final answer. Emphasising the writing process through reflection logs, draft submissions, iterative feedback loops and composition space tools bridges the gap between students and educators by giving oversight of the steps that went into an assignment. This allows students to be transparent about how they have used AI during the process, which discourages misuse, and educators can give tailored, collaborative feedback throughout the writing process.
Safeguarding academic integrity
Educators must communicate to students how, if at all, AI can be used for each individual assignment based on the pedagogical goals through evolving honor codes. With AI firmly rooted in educational settings, teachers need to remain vigilant about its misuse, even when they’ve designed assignments that are resilient to the technology. AI detection tools can help identify patterns in writing that suggest that writing tools may have been used. This can kickstart conversations between students and educators about their understanding of the subject matter and the appropriate use of AI tools. Initiating discussions about the ethical use of AI will equip students with critical thinking skills and firmly establish when tools should and shouldn’t be used. This creates a sense of responsibility and integrity that discourages corner cutting.
Fostering responsible AI usage
As well as designing suitable educational experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of AI usage among students and educators is paramount. Students today must be able to discern AI’s role beyond academia as using the technology well and responsibly is now a fundamental requirement in the professional landscape. Developing AI literacy should be a core component of education, empowering students to navigate, evaluate and apply resources ethically and effectively.
Empowering tomorrow’s learners
The potential of AI in education is undeniably transformative. As we stand at the intersection of traditional education and technological advancement, the aim should be to leverage AI’s capabilities to enhance and personalise learning experiences while fiercely protecting academic integrity. By actively engaging with AI developments and cultivating an environment of ethical use, educators can provide better learning experiences than previously available to students and ensure they are adept users of the technology as they enter the workplace.
Educators and technology providers have an opportunity, and perhaps even a responsibility, to shape how AI is integrated into education. However, collaboration, creativity, adaptability and continuous learning have to be at the centre to ensure that AI is a constructive force in the classroom, facilitating personalised learning and safeguarding academic integrity.
Annie Chechitelli
Annie Chechitelli is Chief Product Officer at Turnitin
