While some are still hating on AI (and probably should continue until more transparency is there), some are jumping in with both feet. One of those is Stanford University. They announced a Generative AI for Education Hub.

A brief summary of their website:

The Generative AI for Education Hub delivers trusted research, insights, and tools for K12 education leaders to leverage generative AI to benefit students, schools, and learning. The Generative AI for Education Hub is the trusted source for superintendents and state/federal K-12 leaders on what works for leveraging generative AI to benefit students, schools, and learning. Schools need clear and actionable guidance to make the right decisions. We partner with school districts, policymakers, and ed tech innovators to leverage data, research effects, and bridge the gap between AI’s potential and real-world impact. From practical tools for next semester to an aspirational vision of learning reimagined supported by genAI, we help education leaders with pragmatic answers to solve their most pressing problems.

They share their research agenda, which includes landscape mapping and impact. Their goal is to answer questions such as:

• Who is using AI in schools and how are they implementing it?
• What are the real-world effects of AI on students, teachers, and schools?
• How can we leverage what we already know from education research to harness these new tools?
• What makes the successful integration of AI in schools possible?

Definitely questions worth exploring. For fun, I asked my AI Strategist MGpt what it thought the answers should be. Then, I ran those through the Skeptical Thinker MGpt. Skeptical Thinker analyzes claims according to one of several frameworks (e.g. SIFT, CRITIC, FLOATER).

I was curious as to what Skeptical Thinker would do with the output. CRITIC did NOT like the claims. This underscores the need for more skeptical thinking when it comes to AI in education. Stanford University’s work in this area will be worth exploring, but it may take awhile to get there. How much funding will be spent on AI boondoggles before we know that the AI improves schools hypothesis has enough evidence to become a theory?

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Skeptical Thinker AI Response below this point:

Here’s the CRITIC evaluation of the claims made in “AI in K-12 Schools: A Strategic Overview”:

Letter	Criterion	Evaluation	Score (1-5)
C	Claim – What is being proposed?	The claim is that AI is being used in K-12 schools to enhance learning, administrative efficiency, and decision-making.	5
R	Role of the Claimant – Who is making the claim, and do they have a vested interest?	The document does not cite specific sources, making it unclear who is asserting these claims. If from an ed-tech company, there may be bias.	3
I	Information Backing the Claim – What evidence is provided?	No direct citations or research studies are included. Statements about AI’s effectiveness are largely presented as general knowledge.	2
T	Testing – Has the claim been tested in a controlled way?	The document does not reference empirical testing of AI’s impact in K-12 settings. There is an assumption that AI benefits students and teachers without quantified results.	2
I	Independent Testing – Has independent verification been done?	There is no mention of peer-reviewed research or independent studies validating these claims.	1
C	Conclusion – Does the conclusion logically follow from the evidence?	The conclusions are reasonable but rely more on logical assumptions than robust data. A stronger foundation of independent research would improve reliability.	3

Overall Score: 2.7/5

Verdict: The claims about AI in K-12 education are plausible but lack substantial supporting evidence. Without independent studies and explicit sources, the assertions should be approached with caution. More empirical data and case studies would strengthen the argument.

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Original AI Response from AI Strategist

Apply the CRITIC to the claims here:

AI in K-12 Schools: A Strategic Overview

1. Who is Using AI in Schools and How Are They Implementing It?

AI adoption in K-12 schools follows a phased approach. Schools range from AI experimentation to full-scale integration. Some common implementations include:

• Teachers: Using AI for grading, lesson planning, and personalized tutoring.
• Students: Engaging with AI-driven learning platforms for individualized instruction.
• Administrators: Utilizing AI for streamlining operations, analyzing student data, and enhancing communication.
• IT Departments: Managing AI tools to ensure security, compliance, and ethical use.

2. What Are the Real-World Effects of AI on Students, Teachers, and Schools?

• Students: More personalized learning experiences, immediate feedback, and improved engagement in STEM/STEAM programs.
• Teachers: Reduced administrative workload, enabling a focus on interactive teaching.
• Schools: Enhanced decision-making through AI-driven data analysis, improving student outcomes and operational efficiency.

3. How Can We Leverage Education Research to Harness AI Tools?

By applying existing pedagogical research, schools can:

• Adopt AI as a Supplemental Tool: Rather than replacing teachers, AI should enhance their capabilities.
• Align AI with Differentiated Instruction: Using AI-driven insights to personalize learning strategies.
• Ensure Ethical Use and Transparency: Following frameworks like SHINE to evaluate AI’s impact on equity and accessibility.

4. What Makes the Successful Integration of AI in Schools Possible?

• Structured AI Adoption Phases: Moving from exploration to full integration in a systematic manner.
• AI Literacy for Educators and Students: Providing professional development for teachers and AI training for students.
• Clear AI Policies and Governance: Establishing ethical guidelines, data privacy measures, and approved AI tools.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involving parents, students, and educators in AI decision-making.