Ethical Reflections on AI's Role in Northern Ireland Education
Introduction to AI in Education Recently, a pilot program in Northern Ireland examined the use of generative AI tools to support teachers. These tools, including one called Gemini, were integrated into classrooms through the Education Authority’s C2k initiative. The program showed that teachers could save about 10 hours a week using AI assistance. This development invites reflection on the ethical questions surrounding AI in education. Time Savings and Teacher Well-being The reported time savings suggest a positive impact on teachers’ workloads. Reducing repetitive tasks might help educators focus more on teaching and personal well-being. However, it is important to consider whether such time gains translate into improved teaching quality or simply shift the nature of work. Ethical concerns include how these tools affect teachers’ professional autonomy and job satisfaction. Dependence on AI and Skill Impact Introducing AI tools raises questions about reliance. If teachers de...