Teacher: Mhairi Aitken

Recording of Mhairi Aitken’s keynote from the Make a Difference Conference 2024. Mhairi Aitken is an Ethics Fellow in the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute, a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Digital Environment Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London and an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Wollongong, Australia.

The talk cuts through the noise to set out a realistic overview of what AI can, and can’t do, and how its true value can be harnessed for education. In order to realise this value it is essential to first have a clear understanding of the limitations and risks of AI. Key ethical challenges relating to the ways AI might be used in education will be explored. Three categories of ethical concerns will be discussed. Firstly, direct risks of using AI in teaching. Secondly, risks to relationships between educators and learners, and thirdly, wider societal and environmental impacts of increasing use of AI in education. Addressing these risks is vital to ensure responsible development and use of AI systems in education. The talk will map out approaches needed to address the risks in order to realise the value and benefits of AI.

Slides: mhairi aitken copenhagen 12 nov