JENN THOMPSON, NASD

 

 

   Last week we were fortunate to have as our speaker JENN THOMPSON, NASD Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Innovative Programs, who spoke on the profound effect Artificial Intelligence is having on our educational system. The talk centered around the definition, scope, and the social impact of AI, and the steps, rules, guidelines that are found in the NASD. 

The school district defines AI as:Technology designed to nine human intelligence, such as analyzing data, recognizing patterns, and making decisions.

It is not meant to replace teachers ,as the human element is vital.  Within the definition are points that state that is an evolving technology that needs continual oversight,  and that a poorly designed AI can halliucinate and reinforce harmful bias. What it is NOT, is a replacement for educators, it's not perfect,  and not yet able to understand context, nuance, or ethics like a human.  Therefore they strive to highlight the risks that are inherent in AI. 

  Jenn presented a video that demonstrated some of the talents the AI has in the area of deep fakes, and warned that we have to be vigilant when examining "evidence".  She spent considerable time detailing the eight areas of greatest risk when working in an AI environment.

 

 

Highlighted was the fact that, although cheating percentages have not changed much since the pre-AI era, it is more difficult to detect, and teachers must realize the risks and encourage students to use AI to brainstorm and research topics and not use it solely for composition.

  The school system has a set of administrative regulations on how all students can use AI, and this is presented along with guidelines helping students determine if an educational task should be completed with the use of AI, and to what extent that use is allowed.

 

Thank You, Jenn for this very informative presentation.