Is AI Being Embraced in Schools and Districts? Yes, But Secretly.

In 2024, we have seen AI become an essential tool used by millions, if not billions of employees daily.

This growth has happened across numerous industries including education. And it is changing the world. 

Fast.

However, one of the most interesting facets of this world-wide AI Adoption is something unexpected.

That is, the greatest use of AI for employees seems to be Stealth BYOAI (Bring Your Own AI). In fact, the Microsoft and LinkedIn 2024 Work Trend Index highlights that 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work, with 78% of them bringing their own AI tools. 

So, AI is boosting productivity, saving an average of 5 hours per week for knowledge workers.

However, these employees, including teachers, support staff, and district leaders, are keeping their AI use largely under wraps. 

This discreet adoption enables staff members to save significant time on tasks like drafting emails, generating reports, managing data, grading papers, writing policies, and more while keeping their usage secret to avoid potential concerns about job security and being given additional work. 

Impact on Schools and Districts

Not immune to the AI revolution, the educational sector is experiencing a parallel shift.

AI offers transformative potential in personalizing learning and reducing administrative tasks for educators. Its integration into classrooms is revolutionizing how teachers manage lesson planning, grading, and real-time feedback, thus saving valuable time.

And the use cases on the horizon are even more amazing.

But despite these benefits, the adoption of AI in education is met with mixed reactions. 

Some schools and districts have fully embraced AI, integrating tools like adaptive learning platforms and AI-driven feedback systems to enhance personalized education. 

However, others remain cautious, citing concerns about student privacy, data security, academic integrity, job integrity, and ethics.

For example, is it ethical for a teacher to use AI to grade and provide feedback on student essays?  

This cautious stance has led to outright bans in some schools, sparking debates about whether such measures hinder educational advancements.

The Result? 

The potential ingraining of a Stealth BYOAI culture. For students, teachers, and other staff members.

A Balanced Approach for Maximum Benefit

The future is here, and AI is currently the worst that it will ever be.

It will keep advancing. Rapidly. 

So we cannot ignore it, but at the same time, we do need to remain cautious about the use cases we explore and bring into our educational ecosystems.

Open discussions about AI’s potential, structured training programs, and clear usage guidelines can help schools and districts leverage AI’s capabilities while managing associated risks. 

AI literacy programs for educators and students could foster informed and ethical use of AI technologies.

However, educational leaders should first define what AI literacy means to them and their organization. 

With AI evolving so rapidly, it will be impossible to keep AI Literacy programs up to date with every new AI use case and feature. 

So the best way forward is to grasp the use cases that the educational organization is interested in pursuing over the next couple of years and building their AI Literacy program around those. 

The Risk of Stealth BYOAI

The rise of Stealth BYOAI in schools, districts, and other workplaces brings both opportunities and risks. On the positive side, it empowers individuals to boost productivity and efficiency without waiting for formal organizational adoption. This can drive innovation and help employees manage their workloads more effectively. Which is a huge win for overworked and under resourced staff. 

However, the risks are significant:

1. Data Privacy and Security: When employees use unsanctioned AI tools, sensitive information might be processed through unapproved channels, leading to potential breaches or misuse.
2. Inconsistent Outcomes: Without standardized tools and guidelines, the results of AI usage can vary widely, leading to inconsistencies in performance and decision-making across different departments or classrooms.
3. Erosion of Trust: The secretive nature of Stealth BYOAI could erode trust between employees and management, as well as between teachers and school administrators. It fosters a culture of secrecy that might undermine collaboration and transparency.
4. Missed Opportunities for Collaboration: By not sharing AI practices openly, organizations miss the chance to collectively learn and improve from each other’s experiences with these technologies.

Moving Forward

For organizations to benefit from AI without falling into the pitfalls of Stealth BYOAI, they need to foster an environment of openness and experimentation. This involves:

• Use Case Selection: Understand the current and immediate future AI opportunities that are available and if your organization is interested in pursuing them. 
• Clear Communication: Establishing clear policies on AI use, encouraging open dialogue about its applications, and addressing concerns around job security and ethical use.
• Structured Training: Providing comprehensive AI literacy programs tailored to the specific needs and goals of the organization, ensuring that all employees, including educators, understand how to use AI responsibly and effectively.
• Proactive Governance: Setting up oversight mechanisms to ensure AI is used ethically and in line with the organization’s values, thus preventing misuse or reliance on unverified tools.

Let's Wrap IT Up

In education and beyond, embracing AI thoughtfully and transparently will allow organizations to harness its full potential while safeguarding against its risks. The time to act is now, as the technology will only continue to advance and become more integrated into our daily lives.

Not acting in an official and planned way, then students, teachers, and other staff members will continue to experiment on their own which puts your students and staff at risk.