COLUMN: Think Again – How we can adapt to the new AI reality

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently made a bold prediction. He said artificial intelligence (AI) will replace teachers within 10 years.

Obviously, Gates doesn’t believe that teachers will literally disappear. But he does think AI will take over some of the tasks currently performed by teachers. This could change teaching jobs in a significant way.

In fact, AI is already having a profound impact on schools. Using programs such as ChatGPT, students can get entire essays written for them in a few seconds. To avoid getting caught, students just tell ChatGPT to make the essay look like it was written by a high school student. AI programs can also create poetry, analyze scientific data and solve complex mathematical equations.

Anytime a student hands in an assignment, there’s a real possibility it was done with the help of AI. And as AI becomes more sophisticated, it’s increasingly harder for teachers to detect it.

Fortunately, one form of assessment remains immune to AI’s influence—written tests. Because tests are written in class under teacher supervision, students cannot use AI to answer questions. Thus, tests remain an excellent way for teachers to find out whether students know the material or not. This is true regardless of the subject.

Of course, progressive educators have long criticized tests. They argue that tests cause undue stress to students and capture only a snapshot of their understanding. As a result, many teachers have reduced their reliance on tests, while some have gotten rid of them altogether.

However, the growing influence of AI means that teachers no longer have the luxury of scrapping tests. Having students do projects and/or group work might look like a good way to engage students in the learning process, but it’s nearly impossible to stop students from using AI to do the work for them. Requiring students to write regular tests is the best way to ensure students are being fairly assessed on their own work, rather than on work done by AI.

This doesn’t mean tests should be the only form of assessment. It’s still important that students learn how to answer questions orally and complete assignments, particularly since time management is an important skill in any job. But teachers should make their assignments as AI-resistant as possible.

For example, instead of having students write a report summarizing the career of a Canadian prime minister (something ChatGPT can easily do), get students to write a short essay where they give their opinion about something recently discussed in class. While this assignment isn’t completely AI-proof, it at least forces students to personalize their answers. A teacher could also have the student present their report in class and answer questions from other students.

Teachers could also have students complete written assignments during class time rather than at home. This way teachers can ensure that students are not using AI to write their essays for them.

Finally, while students must know that they can’t cheat their way through school, there’s nothing wrong with letting students use AI on some of their work. Just as we allow students to use calculators when solving algebraic equations, it makes sense to let students use AI when drafting cover letters and resumes. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay so we’d better show students how to use these programs appropriately.

The best way to deal with AI is to be honest about its advantages and disadvantages. Contrary to what Bill Gates said, we’ll need teachers for many years to come. But we still need to adapt to this technological challenge.

Michael Zwaagstra is a teacher and deputy mayor of Steinbach. He can be reached at mzwaagstra@shaw.ca.