AI for Education on ABC News

CEO Amanda Bickerstaff joined ABC News last week to talk about AI in the classroom, with a focus on how we can support both students and teachers navigating this disruptive technology.

Philadelphia teacher Kate Conroy also joined the segment and shared why she doesn't allow AI use in her classroom.

As often happens, the reporter was looking for us to be the bullish AI-in-education advocate. But what we see in schools is that without intentional AI literacy, guardrails, and better, more reliable tools, the risks outweigh the benefits.

New Common Sense Media research found that 70% of teens are using AI for schoolwork, but 73% have never talked with a teacher about what AI is or how it works. Only a quarter have had a classroom discussion about how to judge whether an AI answer is accurate.

Nearly half of the teens using AI for schoolwork say a tool has been blocked at school. Most of them just switch to a personal device.

AI isn't going anywhere, and pretending otherwise leaves young people to work it out on their own, the same mistake we made with social media.

AI literacy starts with a simple question: should I use GenAI for this task, or is there a better, safer way? When students can answer that for themselves, and understand how to protect their privacy, think critically, and stay academically honest along the way, they are in a very different position from a student navigating it alone.

Kate made the case that what students need most is confidence and connection, not tools. We don't think those goals are in conflict, but an opportunity.