New York City Public Schools Embrace AI Education, Raising Concerns About Bias
New York City public schools are making strides to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into their educational framework, a move that has sparked worries among critics who fear potential left-wing bias in the curriculum.
During a recent City Council hearing, officials from the Department of Education (DOE) expressed their enthusiasm for becoming a global leader in utilizing generative AI tools for student education. Melanie Mac, the director of DOE’s Office of Student Pathways, emphasized their aim to dismantle inequitable systems and promote civic and cultural participation through AI integration. However, this ambitious plan has raised concerns among some council members and parent groups.
Councilman Robert Holden expressed the need for clear regulations surrounding AI integration in schools, as it runs the risk of indoctrinating students. While acknowledging the importance of embracing new technology, he emphasized the importance of establishing guidelines before widespread implementation.
Maud Maron, co-president of Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education NYC, echoed similar sentiments, cautioning against students relying on tools like ChatGPT – an AI service – for information gathering and school assignments. Maron claimed that these tools exhibit a heavy liberal bias, comparing it to using Wikipedia as a source.
The concerns surrounding bias in AI tools are not unfounded. A recent study by the University of East Anglia in the UK revealed that ChatGPT displayed a clear bias toward the Democratic Party and liberal viewpoints. For instance, it refused to generate a story about Hunter Biden in the style of The New York Post but readily accepted a prompt from a left-leaning source like CNN.
In January, the DOE briefly banned the use of ChatGPT over concerns about potential cheating. However, the ban was eventually lifted, allowing individual schools to decide whether to use the tool or not. Additionally, the DOE has partnered with Microsoft to develop a custom AI-powered teaching assistant for classrooms.
During the City Council hearing, Councilwoman Rita Joseph expressed her concerns over inadequate computer science instruction and lack of certified computer teachers in city schools. She introduced a nonbinding resolution urging the DOE to mandate teacher training on the use of AI Chatbot tools in classrooms.
While some council members demanded strict guidelines to prevent misuse and protect privacy, others expressed hope that AI would not replace teachers but rather enhance their productivity by automating tasks such as grading homework.
A nationwide study by the Walton Family Foundation found that 51% of teachers currently use ChatGPT in schools, compared to 33% of students aged 12 to 17. The DOE aims to establish an AI policy by June 2024, taking into account diverse perspectives and ensuring a balanced approach.
As New York City public schools embrace AI education, concerns about potential left-wing bias loom large. The implementation of clear regulations, teacher training, and guidelines for AI integration will be crucial in addressing these concerns and ensuring an equitable and unbiased education system.
