Colleges and universities are leading the way when it comes to ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).
Many schools are using AI for teaching, learning, research, back-office operations, and even physical security. At the same time, they are considering and discussing important questions about how to use this powerful technology responsibly.
Why is AI ethics unique in higher education?
The field of higher education is in a unique position to address the ethical considerations of AI. Part of the reason for this is that AI is being used extensively in education.
As AI usage expands, colleges and universities need to provide students with “ethical and conceptual foundations to prepare them for the future.”
Many schools already have the expertise needed to provide such foundations.
Given the availability of this technology in higher education and the expertise available to them, these institutions are well-positioned to discuss the ethical issues of AI. These discussions are already underway at many colleges and universities.
Key Ethical Concerns About AI in Education
The key ethical concern about artificial intelligence (AI) is its democratization. In particular, the ability to access AI from an intellectual perspective.
AI can benefit more from those who use it critically. “Those who don’t can benefit less.” Universities need to teach critical thinking skills, and this is consistent with concerns about the accuracy of AI.
For example, if you ask an AI “how to put cheese on a pizza,” it might answer “glue is the best way to put cheese on a pizza.” This raises “ethical concerns” because it gives people who are not equipped to judge whether or not that answer is a “good answer.”
“People don’t fully understand what happens when they put their data into university-sponsored or unsponsored AI applications.” Given the nature of educational data (from personal data to research data), privacy becomes an important ethical consideration.
Bias is another concern. If you ask an AI to draw a picture of a nurse, it will usually draw a woman. This is because the data on which the AI is trained reflects “long-standing biases in society.” The question is, “What are we doing unwittingly by allowing AI to continue to do these things?”
There are also concerns about the dangers of over-reliance on AI in education, and questions about academic integrity. Higher education needs to consider the line between “responsible educational support” and “unethical reliance.”
Given the various ethical issues, higher education is being challenged to set the necessary rules as AI is just beginning to be used.
Things AI is not ready to do
Artificial intelligence (AI) should not be allowed to take the lead in anything related to human health and safety. AI can help with cancer research, data analysis, or medical record summarization. But it should avoid making decisions without human input.
“You shouldn’t be giving mental health advice to an AI chatbot.” “We don’t want to have unexpected interactions here.”
In the classroom, AI can assess student work, but “AI alone shouldn’t be giving grades.”
The same goes for academic advising and other key functions. For example, “AI can be used to understand things to provide financial aid, but it shouldn’t be used to finalize financial aid.”
Behind the scenes, people still need to keep an eye on the results of AI. “Keep people in the loop for processes, payroll, human resources, and financial processes,”. “This is a powerful tool. It shouldn’t be used to make decisions.”
Also Read: The Role of AI in High School Education: Benefits and Challenges
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