< img src ="https://i0.wp.com/hechingerreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/proof-ai-042226-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1"alt= ""> I spent the majority of the last 2 weeks on the road in California at three education conferences that highlighted the threats– and possible benefits– of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) events were held in Los Angeles. After they wrapped, I headed for San Diego and ASU+GSV where I moderated a panel on expert system tutors.
That’s me on the far left, moderating a panel about how various business are taking various methods to constructing AI tutors. To my right is Jon Woodard of Wolfram Research Study, Caleb Hicks of SchoolAI, Maureen Heymans of Google and Karttikeya Mangalam of EverTutor (Photo thanks to Chloë Conacher/Google)
The issue with human beings in the loop
While gathering ideas for future columns, I heard two things at the NCME convention that stuck with me.
- We all know we’re supposed to inspect what AI spits out. However Victoria Yaneva, director of information science and AI at the National Board of Medical Inspectors, stated there’s growing proof that people are becoming worse at doing so. Individuals who are passionate about AI are more likely to miss errors, she said. AI skeptics are better at catching them.
The people most wary of AI may be the ones we most need in the loop.
- I heard a review of approximately 250 studies on AI-generated test questions and scoring. Only one– one research study– looked at whether the outcomes were prejudiced versus particular students.
John Whitmer of Learning Data Insights called that oversight by the research community a “huge miss out on.”
Related: Asian American students lose more points in an AI essay grading study
Ed tech’s AI dreams struck reality
The ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego is a giant ed tech event where financiers, marketers, entrepreneurs and educators do offers and talk, talk, discuss the future of education.
For the past two years, the mantra has been, “AI will transform whatever.”
This year? Not so much.
AI products and conversations were still everywhere, however the mood had shifted. There were a lot more concerns– about evidence, about screen time backlash from moms and dads, and about overloaded teachers. Superintendents were blunt. Their budgets are contracting and the period of “purchase and attempt” is over.
“We’re at a tipping point,” stated Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, a nonprofit organization.
Then, on the final day of the conference, Dan Meyer of Amplify, a curriculum company, dropped this newsletter bomb: “RIP Khanmigo & Edtech Market Imagine AI Tutors.” The issue is that trainees aren’t actually utilizing AI tutors as much, or how, the method the market hoped. They’re not asking the kinds of questions that cause finding out.
A couple of other things I heard:
- Big ed tech companies are pivoting towards teacher training– trying to get teachers to drive adoption. Google is presenting what it calls “snackable, stackable” ideas, bite-sized methods instructors can try AI in class without upgrading everything. Apple is expanding its networks of instructors who can coach coworkers on how to embed AI innovation into their lessons.
- And market research study is beginning to provide some responses. A small, exploratory research study in 2015 showed gains from an AI mathematics tutor that provided instant feedback on practice problems. It utilized Google’s AI under the hood to assist remedy students’ mistaken beliefs. However a much larger research study– 1,600 trainees– simply introduced, with results expected this fall.
The huge question now isn’t just whether AI can assist students if it is used properly. It’s whether trainees will actually utilize it in manner ins which make a distinction.
This story about the future of AI in the classroom was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent wire service that covers education. Register for Proof Pointsand other Hechinger newsletters.
Was this story practical? Leave a pointer to support your education press reporters.
The Hechinger Report is a not-for-profit newsroom powered by reader assistance
Republish our posts free of charge, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.