Mar 21, 2025
In a groundbreaking move, Arizona's State Board for Charter Schools has approved Unbound Academy, a virtual school utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver core instruction, effectively replacing traditional human teachers. Operating under the name Alpha Schools in Texas and Florida, Unbound Academy offers a two-hour daily AI-guided learning session covering subjects like language, math, and science. The AI system customizes lessons in real-time based on each student's performance, aiming to double learning efficiency compared to conventional methods. Post these sessions, students engage in activities designed to enhance life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Human facilitators are present, not as academic instructors, but to provide motivation and emotional support, ensuring students remain engaged and focused.
This innovative approach has sparked discussions among educators. Jessica Early, an English professor at Arizona State University (my alma mater), emphasizes the importance of integrating human expertise with AI in educational settings. She advocates for teachers to be actively involved in designing AI applications, ensuring that technology serves as a tool to enhance learning rather than replace human interaction. Early cautions against viewing AI as a substitute for teachers, highlighting the potential risks of diminishing the human element in education.
The integration of AI into education raises questions about the role of human interaction in learning and the potential implications of relying heavily on technology. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse underscores the significance of guidance and mentorship in a child's development, roles that should be fulfilled by human educators. While AI can serve as useful tool, it lacks the ability to provide moral and ethical guidance, empathy, and the relational aspects crucial to holistic education. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential to balance innovation with the irreplaceable value of human mentorship in nurturing well-rounded individuals. READ MORE
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Commentary by Joe Hawkins