This paper is part of Maxim Institute’s series on Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring AI’s impact on education with a focus on New Zealand. It delves into how AI is being used, its future potential, and the risks involved in integrating AI into education. Key findings include:

AI in Education: Current and Future Applications
Narrow AI has the potential to revolutionise education by providing personalised learning experiences, easing teacher workloads, and helping identify student talents. However, while AI offers numerous benefits, it is essential to approach its integration with caution, as it cannot fully replicate human cognitive processes.

Impact of Generative AI
The introduction of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has sparked concerns about academic integrity. Reports indicate that 60% of students use AI for schoolwork. However, most students use these tools to supplement their efforts rather than to replace their work entirely.

Challenges in the New Zealand Education System
Despite substantial investment, New Zealand’s education outcomes continue to decline due to issues such as undertrained teachers, lack of adequate support, and structural inefficiencies. The system particularly struggles to address the needs of students from low socio-economic backgrounds and minority ethnic communities, highlighting a significant gap in educational equity.

To effectively harness the potential of AI in education, several key actions are recommended:

Proactive Engagement with AI
Educators and policymakers should actively engage with AI technologies, integrating them into curricula and administrative tasks. Understanding AI’s capabilities and limitations is critical to exploiting its full potential.

Implementing Safeguards
Clear guidelines and ethical standards are essential to prevent AI misuse, such as cheating. Safeguards should be implemented to ensure responsible and fair use of AI in education.

Enhancing Teacher Training
Teacher training programmes must include AI literacy, equipping educators with the skills to effectively use AI tools in the classroom and support student learning.

Supporting Disadvantaged Students
To ensure equitable access, targeted strategies and support programmes should be developed for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring AI benefits all learners.

Long-Term Planning and Policy Development
Strategic planning and policy development are crucial to guiding AI’s integration in education and ensuring its sustainable, ethical, and beneficial implementation.

AI can potentially transform New Zealand’s education system significantly, but its integration requires thoughtful planning, robust safeguards, and a commitment to equity. By addressing current challenges and embracing AI responsibly, New Zealand can develop a more effective, inclusive educational environment that benefits all students.