Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility in education—it’s here, and it’s reshaping the way institutions, educators, and students interact with learning. At the recent AI in the Classroom Summit, hosted by the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS), educators gathered to discuss AI’s growing role in schools. The discussions revealed both opportunities and challenges, highlighting the urgent need for clear policies and thoughtful implementation.
AI in Education: How AI is Being Used
Educators at the summit shared insights into how AI is already embedded in academic environments:
Student Support Services: AI-powered chatbots and advising tools are being used to assist students in academic advising, career counseling, and even mental health support. While AI can alleviate some of the burdens on human advisors, there are concerns about over-reliance, particularly in sensitive areas requiring human judgment.
Classroom Integration: Some instructors are incorporating AI into assignments rather than banning it. For example, AI is being used to generate thesis variations, analyze writing structures, and assist in research, with a strong emphasis on reflection and process over simple output.
Faculty Efficiency: Many educators are leveraging AI for administrative tasks such as lesson planning, drafting recommendation letters, and grading assistance, allowing them to focus more on student engagement.
Educator Concerns and Frustrations
Despite AI’s potential, the summit surfaced key frustrations among educators:
Academic Integrity: Many reported an increase in AI-driven cheating, from AI-generated essays to real-time responses in classroom discussions.
Lack of Institutional Policy: Surprisingly, no school in attendance had a fully developed AI policy. Decisions on AI use were often left to individual teachers, leading to inconsistencies.
AI Detection Challenges: While some educators believed they could spot AI-generated content, the rapid improvement of AI suggests detection will soon be nearly impossible.
Key Questions Raised
As educators grapple with AI’s presence, several important questions emerged:
How can AI be integrated into learning without undermining critical thinking skills?
What ethical considerations should be in place to protect student data and prevent bias?
Should AI literacy be a required skill for both students and teachers?
How do we assess learning in an AI-assisted academic environment?
Key Learnings from the Summit
AI is a tool, not a replacement: Whether in student support or classroom instruction, AI should assist rather than replace human interaction.
Process-based assessment is critical: Focusing on how students arrive at their answers, rather than just the final product, can help maintain academic integrity.
Educator training is essential: AI literacy for teachers is just as important as it is for students.
Policy gaps must be addressed: Without clear guidelines, AI use will remain inconsistent and reactive rather than strategic.
Next Steps for Educators: Establishing AI Policies
With AI’s role in education expanding, institutions must take proactive steps:
Develop clear AI policies: Schools should outline when and how AI can be used, ensuring alignment with academic integrity standards.
Encourage AI literacy: Professional development programs should equip educators with the knowledge to use AI effectively.
Emphasize transparency: Students should understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations.
Adopt AI as a teaching tool: Instead of banning AI, institutions should explore how it can enhance learning while maintaining rigor.
Conclusion
As one veteran educator at the summit noted, the fears surrounding AI today mirror past concerns about graphing calculators in the 1990s. The challenge is not in stopping AI but in shaping its use to enhance education rather than disrupt it. Schools that act now to create thoughtful policies will be best positioned to harness AI’s potential while maintaining academic integrity and fostering genuine learning.
Editor’s note
This article was created with the help of AI! To read our team member’s firsthand account of the National Organization for Student Success’s “AI in the Classroom” Summit, view here. The AI used was ChatGPT. We gave our team member’s reflections and used the following prompt to generate this blog post:
please take the attached story and turn it into a "report" on the current state of ai in the classroom. the final product will go on Thea study's monthly blog. the length should be relatively short and the flow should be reworked to follow this outline: (1) what was learned/what the current usage of AI looks like for institutions educators/students, (2) frustrations that teachers have & noteworthy comments, (3) questions that surfaced throughout the day, (4) key learnings, (5) next steps for educators (ai policy)
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