“Did he truly believe he would be able to control the results of his work, or did his scientific curiosity give rise to moral blindness?” – Deborah Poskanzer. Though this rhetoric is in reference to the 2023 Christopher Nolan film, Oppenheimer, the pure idea can be used as a remark to many other subjects, especially in artificial intelligence.

In the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, we have to be skeptical of the potential opportunities and obstacles that riddle its development and use. Though the roadblocks of A.I. and the ethics behind it are commonly debated, it is no surprise that use is largely agreed to be beneficial.

Powell High School has a diverse spectrum of opinion among the staff – there is no surprise that the opinion on artificial intelligence is also widely varied. A twelve-question form was sent out to a major group of teaching staff at PHS that surveyed the general census on artificial intelligence use. Of the 21 participants, a large range of subjects, experience, and grade levels taught were collected.

In the arts, artificial intelligence is a hot and heavily debated subject. Choir director Drew Murray’s intriguing perspective on A.I. given her position’s relevance to the idea of art.

“I teach performing arts, and I am unwelcoming to AI in areas of self-expression because it removes the ‘self’ in that equation,” Murray said. “Art and Music is a part of human expression and should be left to the humans.”

57% of staff participants are very concerned that artificial intelligence can be misused. Over 50% of staff participants agreed that the school district should restrict artificial intelligence use.

Many teachers admitted that A.I., when properly used, is a phenomenal tool. 

“A.I. programs can be incredibly helpful,” an anonymous teacher responded, “When they’re used to augment learning and critical thinking, not replace it.”

Many staff members shared a common insight that artificial intelligence will not disappear anytime soon; embracing, teaching, and learning proper and ethical use is our best bet. 

“I believe artificial intelligence is the future,” an anonymous teacher said. “We would be doing a disservice if we didn’t teach how to appropriately use it.”

The difference dividing staff who use A.I. and those who do not is smack dab in the middle. Just over half of the 21 participants claimed they never use artificial intelligence; the remaining 48% use A.I. at least occasionally. A striking 67% of participants admitted that, though they sometimes use it in the classroom, they do not allow students to use it in the classroom. All 21 participants reflected that artificial intelligence can be beneficial for learning.

One anonymous teacher said, “As with anything, it’s important to exercise responsibility and ethics when using AI.”