Learning in the Digital Age

AI all around us—at home, online, and now in the classroom

By Sarah Kittle

Artificial Intelligence (AI) no longer lives solely in the realm of science fiction. For those who grew up watching The Jetsons or Star Trek, today’s world might look a bit different than imagined—but it’s not far off. Robotic maids like Rosie Jetson aren’t available just yet, but robotic vacuums have been around for years. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant now help millions of people manage everyday tasks, from setting reminders to controlling smart homes.

From entertainment to education, AI has become a quiet but pervasive presence in modern life. Tools like Grammarly and Google Translate assist with communication and learning, while platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube analyze user data to make personalized recommendations. Navigation tools such as Google Maps and Waze rely on AI to provide real-time traffic updates and route optimization. Even weather apps and forecasting tools increasingly depend on AI models to predict conditions with improved accuracy.

Despite this wide adoption, many Americans still don’t realize how frequently they use AI. In a Gallup poll from late 2024, only 36% of respondents claimed to have used AI, while 50% said they had not and 14% were unsure. However, when asked about their use of six common AI-enabled tools—virtual assistants, navigation apps, weather apps, social media, streaming platforms, and online shopping—99% of U.S. adults reported using at least one in the past week, with 83% using four or more.

Yet, as AI continues to integrate into everyday life, concerns are rising. Many Americans worry about its potential to spread misinformation, erode human relationships, and disrupt the job market. Nowhere are these concerns more visible than in schools, where the role of AI is rapidly expanding—and stirring both excitement and anxiety.

A new frontier: AI in the classroom

AI is now making its way into classrooms, reshaping how teachers teach and how students learn. Microsoft and OpenAI recently launched a multimillion-dollar initiative to train teachers in using AI effectively. This effort is part of a broader push by tech companies to embed AI tools into educational settings—tools that promise to grade assignments, draft lesson plans, and generate recommendation letters.

Tech companies are also marketing directly to students, especially around exam season, offering discounted subscriptions and free trials. It’s a strategy designed to build habits early and turn students into lifelong users.

But while the promise is large, the evidence of effectiveness remains limited. Many students are now part of what some experts call a national experiment—using AI tools in real-time without clear long-term data on outcomes. In districts like Kelso, Washington, students have used Google’s Gemini chatbot for writing and research. In Newark, New Jersey, a chatbot from Khan Academy helps teachers group students and answer questions during class.

Colleges are getting on board, too. California State University recently inked a $17 million deal with OpenAI to give all 460,000 of its students access to ChatGPT, touting the tool’s usefulness in coding, digital art, essay editing, and research. Similar efforts are underway at Duke University and the University of Maryland, where campus-developed chatbots are being integrated into coursework.

A familiar pitch—with new risks

This is not the first time tech companies have promised to revolutionize education. In the early 2000s, schools invested heavily in laptops, lured by the same pitch: cutting-edge tools will solve persistent learning gaps. Two decades later, the results of those laptop programs are mixed—student gains were modest, and success largely depended on teacher support and curriculum overhaul.

The narrative has not changed. Today, companies warn that without AI, students risk falling behind in a fast-moving economy. “‘I don’t want my kids to get left behind.’ That’s the first thing we hear from districts,” said Vicki Zubovic, outreach lead for Khan Academy’s AI classroom initiative.

The federal government has also endorsed AI in education. In April, President Trump signed an executive order encouraging AI adoption at all grade levels, citing national competitiveness as a key priority.

However, some educators and researchers remain skeptical. While tech firms tout AI’s ability to deliver “personalized learning,” many students are using tools like ChatGPT as glorified search engines—or shortcuts to draft assignments. Interview-prep bots and virtual tutors have been around for years; the packaging may be new, but the substance is often familiar.

Julia Kaufman, a senior researcher at the RAND Corporation, says that it’s still “really hard to know” whether AI will lead to better learning outcomes. The tools are too new, and the research just isn’t there yet.

As schools rush to adopt AI, a generation of students is learning to live with—and depend on—powerful, often opaque technology. Many are handing over personal data in the process. The stakes are high, and the long-term effects—positive or negative—may not become clear for years.

AI is transforming education—alongside daily AI conveniences that many barely notice. The potential is significant: personalized learning, assisted creativity, and ease. But without careful design, risk looms: shallow shortcuts, loss of core skills, and a generation unfamiliar with deep writing.

We’re at a crossroads. We can resist and retreat behind traditional educational frameworks. Or we can embrace change: design curricula where AI is a partner, not a crutch; teach how to question, critique, and iterate; and entrust students with integrating AI thoughtfully—not simply outsourcing thought.