Page 32 - The EDGE BTS 2024

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

BY DON HARRIS
LeeAnn Liindsey
AI Can Have a Powerful Impact on Schools

AASBO members are encouraged to get ready for In Transportation, a question is if self-driving
AI – Artificial Intelligence – because it will have buses will solve the problem of having a shortage
a significant impact on school district operations. of drivers. “There could come to a time when we
have self-driving buses,” Gestson said. “And the
Two tech experts from the Arizona Institute for only adult on board will be to help kids with their
Education & the Economy said AI could affect homework. Some self-driving vehicles are safer
virtually every department and profession in a than human-driven vehicles – already.”
typical school. In a well-attended breakout session
at AASBO’s Summer Conference and Expo, Chad IT people ask if AI makes cyber security easier or
Gestson, founder and Executive Director of the more challenging, Food Service wonder if robots
Institute at Northern Arizona University, and will cook food for students, and Maintenance and
LeeAnn Lindsey, the Institute’s Director of EdTech Facilities are concerned how AI will impact rising
and Innovation, explained that their focus is on construction costs. Eventually, AI will provide
the future of schools, work and the economy and solutions to various school district issues across
the challenges and opportunities. They said they the board, according to Gestson.
toured Arizona to understand the state’s education
and economic landscape. What happens to the people whose jobs are taken
over by AI?
Gestson mentioned such school units as
Technology, Food Service, Finance, Procurement, “What is the future for the workforce – the front
Transportation, Construction and Facilities, office, people who answer the phone?” Gestson
saying, “We are positioned at the intersection of said. “We could live in a world where the current
K-12, higher education, and the workforce.” He positions don’t exist in the future. I don’t think it’s
suggested that guidelines for utilizing AI should getting rid of people. I think it’s rethinking roles.”
come at the state level. AI possibilities, according to Gestson: “It takes
school superintendents six months to build a master
“We know that AI has the power to be incredibly schedule. In theory AI could do it in a few weeks.
disruptive in good ways – and in bad ways if we’re A machine won’t put two kids in the same class
not careful,” Gestson said. “There is a lot of fear who fought last year. It will provide efficiency and
and excitement about what this will do.” effective uses for better learning.”

Gestson asked AASBO members what they think Gestson said universities, high schools and middle
about AI, what worries them, what can it do? For schools are worried about academic integrity –
example, he has heard people in Finance ask if AI cheating. His advice for educators: “If giving
can do payroll. “AI is going to have the capability students assignments they can do on the internet,
to do payroll really fast – automatically,” he said. maybe you ought to rethink those assignments.
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32 THE EDGE BACK TO SCHOOL 2024