AI Trials in Schools: Balancing Caution with Progress

The French education system is embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to support and enhance learning, with a gradual rollout of AI integration beginning this school year.

According to the recently published AI usage framework by the Ministry of National Education, students in the first degree are introduced to the basic knowledge of AI. However, they will not be able to directly manipulate generative AI services until the 4th grade. This approach aims to ensure a balanced and controlled introduction of AI in the classroom.

AI is expected to assist teachers in various tasks, such as lesson preparation and corrections. However, it's crucial to note that AI does not replace the pedagogical effort and the human relationship with the student. The ritualised use of digital tools with students is encouraged to ensure proper use and verification of information.

The National Union of Secondary Education Teachers (SNES-FSU) has expressed concerns about the AI usage framework, particularly regarding the harmful effects of AI. These concerns echo those raised in the 1990s about the introduction of CD-ROMs in education.

As students start using AI, they face challenges in distinguishing between well-written and accurate responses due to AI's potential biases and hallucinations. For instance, a teacher's student resorted to using ChatGPT for a simple exercise, resulting in invented quotes and hours of corrections for the teacher.

To address these concerns, the Ministry of Education plans to develop a sovereign, open, and evolving AI tool for teachers to support their activities by the 2026-2027 school year. Meanwhile, specific tools for dyslexic students based on non-generative AI are already available, scanning their homework drafts to help them correct certain French mistakes.

The training of teachers in technologies, particularly AI, remains an important issue. Exchanges between teachers from various disciplines are considered the most effective strategy for teacher training in AI. Starting from the 2025 school year, students in 4th grade and 2nd grade will be required to follow a mandatory online awareness course on AI.

Teachers have the freedom to experiment with AI in their classes, as long as they follow some basic rules. For students in the second degree, they will benefit from a dedicated online training course of 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, mandatory in 4th and 2nd grades. It's important to note that any use of AI by a student to complete a task without the authorization of a teacher will be considered cheating.

Jean-François Cerisier, a professor of information and communication sciences, encourages experimentation with AI in education and expects the educational framework to evolve. However, concerns about students' critical thinking abilities and the misuse of AI for cheating persist, as expressed by Francoise Cahen, a high school French teacher.

Many schools are launching AI projects this school year, and feedback will be gathered to help overcome concerns. The integration of AI in education is still evolving, with efforts focusing on providing tools, workshops, and ethical guidelines rather than imposing compulsory courses. In the US education system, a nationwide mandatory online course on critical AI usage for students from 3rd and 5th grades has not been introduced since the 2022/23 school year due to these ongoing efforts and challenges.

In conclusion, the integration of AI in French education presents both challenges and opportunities. As the educational framework evolves, it's essential to strike a balance between leveraging AI's potential to support learning and ensuring a safe and ethical learning environment for students.