Eh Eye - Canadian public education AI Action items

​In late April 2024 the World Economic Forum released The Role of AI in Education 4.0. I thought it was important after reading such a document to suggest action items for the four main stakeholders in a child’s education. Based on this report, here are my five action items for students, teachers, systems leaders, and parents who are looking to maximize positive impacts of all forms of artificial intelligence in the education system.
 
Students:

1. Fostering AI Literacy: Engage in activities and courses to understand AI basics and its implications in education.
2. Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Sharpen critical thinking abilities to discern between credible and misleading information in the digital realm.
3. Engaging Ethically: Participate in discussions about the ethical use of AI and advocate for responsible deployment.
4. Advocating for Access: Advocate for equitable access to AI education and resources, ensuring all students benefit from technological advancements.
5. Embracing Lifelong Learning: Continuously upskill to adapt to evolving demands in an AI-driven world.

 
Teachers:

1. Receiving AI Training: Participate in professional development programs to effectively integrate AI tools into teaching practices.
2. Maintaining Human-Centric Approach: Ensure AI complements rather than replaces human interaction, nurturing teacher-student relationships.
3. Advocating for Resources: Advocate for resources and support needed to seamlessly integrate AI into classrooms.
4. Promoting Ethical AI Use: Educate students about ethical AI use and digital citizenship to navigate the online world responsibly.
5. Collaborating for Success: Share insights and best practices with fellow educators to enhance AI integration efforts.

 
System Leaders:

1. Fostering Collaborative Partnerships: Foster collaborations across sectors to drive AI initiatives forward collaboratively.
2. Ensuring Data Security: Implement robust data privacy measures to safeguard student information and build trust.
3. Innovating Funding: Advocate for funding models that support ongoing AI refinement and evaluation.
4. Prioritizing Equity: Ensure AI initiatives prioritize inclusivity, providing equal opportunities for all students.
5. Supporting Research: Champion research efforts to explore AI integration, unlocking its transformative potential.

 
Parents:

1. Staying Informed: Educate yourself about AI basics and its implications in education to support your child's learning journey.
2. Promoting Critical Thinking: Encourage your child to think critically about the information they encounter online, helping them navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
3. Advocating for Access: Advocate for equitable access to AI education and resources within your community, ensuring all children have the opportunity to benefit from technological advancements.
4. Emphasizing Ethical Use: Teach your child about the ethical use of AI and the importance of respecting privacy and data security online.
5. Engaging with Educators: Collaborate with teachers and school administrators to understand how AI is integrated into the curriculum and support initiatives that prioritize responsible AI deployment and student well-being.

 
Each stakeholder plays a key role in the successful implementation of AI in the public education systems in Canada. You can see several action items overlap between many stakeholders. These would serve as the main pillars of action for any implementation plan that I’d employ. Together we can embrace and enrich the incorporation of AI tools and practice in public education.