A study from the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education reveals that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational environments is causing negative impacts on schoolchildren. Researchers conducted an extensive review involving K-12 students, parents, educators, and technology specialists from 50 countries to assess how AI is affecting classroom dynamics.
The report's findings indicate that the risks associated with AI currently surpass its benefits, with significant harm noted in children's developmental progress. Although quantifying these effects has proven challenging, evidence suggests that AI is undermining essential skills in young learners. The technology's reach extends beyond education, infiltrating consumer products like toys, raising alarms about the unmeasured consequences of children's interactions with AI.
Concerns have also emerged regarding the implementation of AI in schools, particularly related to issues of academic integrity, including increased incidents of plagiarism and false cheating allegations. Additionally, the growth of data centers supporting AI technology has led to controversies over their resource consumption and the strain they place on local energy infrastructures, prompting community backlash against new constructions.