Experts advocate for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education to help students navigate its presence and risks, emphasizing its importance from an early age. While some institutions teach AI, secondary education lags behind. Concerns about AI algorithms on social media highlight their role in amplifying polarizing content. Educational leaders stress the need for critical thinking and responsible AI usage rather than prohibition, aiming to prepare students for the complexities of the digital landscape.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Education
Experts in the fields of digital technology and education are advocating for the urgent inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in school curricula. The goal is to equip young individuals with the skills to recognize AI’s presence on social media and mitigate its associated risks. Myriam Côté, the research director at JACOBB, an AI research center, emphasizes, “AI training should be a fundamental part of education from kindergarten onward.” While some higher education programs in Quebec are currently teaching AI, its integration into secondary education remains limited. Côté warns against creating a two-tiered system where a few become experts while many remain uninformed. “Understanding AI is as essential as learning to read and write,” she asserts.
The Impact of AI Algorithms on Social Media
One significant concern is the influence of AI algorithms on the content users encounter. These algorithms analyze user behavior to suggest content aligned with their interests, often amplifying polarizing topics. “Moral debates drive engagement because they evoke strong emotions. Consequently, algorithms favor more of the same viewpoint,” explains Côté. A private institution in Châteauguay, Collège Héritage, is exploring ways to integrate AI education. Educational advisor Daniela Cicciarelli shares that their initial response was to block AI, but they quickly realized the importance of embracing this technology. “We need to educate ourselves and our students about regulated AI usage,” she says. Students, including 4th secondary pupil Olivier Fréchette, express a desire to learn both the positive and negative aspects of AI. Engineer Farnell Morrisset highlights the necessity of fostering critical thinking to navigate the complexities of social media algorithms, noting that societal awareness of these issues is still developing. The Montreal School Service Center supports the idea of education over prohibition, advocating for cautious yet open use of AI among students.