Trouble with Tech: 11 Problems with AI in Education — Banyan Global Learning

How do you feel about AI? Are you prepared for potential problems? Are you prepared for potential benefits?

As many educators excitedly explore the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, there are some expected reservations. The massive potential for progress with AI also leaves the door open for problems with AI in education.

Though we embrace technological developments in education here at Banyan, we also understand that incorporating tech is far from perfect. In this post, we will discuss the real issues of AI in education and offer solutions to these challenges.

What is AI?

Or rather, what do we mean when we say “AI”? AI has existed in various forms for decades. AI refers to machines, software, and other instruments capable of making decisions that usually require human intervention. The most modern adaptation of AI, generative AI (Gen AI), is far from the first iteration. Educators have been using algorithmic and digital processing for assessments and lessons since the 90s.

Current Gen AI tools work like predictive text plus. They take input, like text, and use their database to create something in your desired style. These tools do not replace expertise, but they can leverage your prior knowledge and experience to output content.

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How Do Educators Use AI in the Classroom?

Educators utilize AI for various purposes, including time optimization, personalized learning, and instructional differentiation. They often apply data gained from using AI to achieve learning goals more effectively. AI can be a helpful tool, especially when time is an issue.

Time-saving is the most common application of AI in educational practice. Many educators use Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to summarize text, create lesson plans, and differentiate material. Using AI in this way allows teachers to personalize instruction without spending hours at their desks.

However, there is an entire world of educational AI tools that most educators never tap into. Most educators lack practical AI training and focus mainly on the disadvantages of AI.

11 Disadvantages of AI in Education

Many blog posts, podcasts, and YouTube videos sing AI's praises in education, but, as with any new technology or educational practice, several concerns also arise. Without proper professional development, educators may feel they lack the energy to learn AI independently, or they become fixated on the arguments against its use.

AI is not just an issue of technical knowledge; it requires critical thinking and systems analysis to use it effectively. In a January 2024 post, Mike Ananny stated that we should consider AI a public issue. Ananny argues that issues with AI, such as hallucinations, misattributed authorships, and regurgitated biases, are social issues.

In this way, Ananny suggests we should regulate and discuss AI in the same manner as public health or education. AI is a technology that shapes the way we experience the world, and AI skills give you an advantage.

Because of this shift towards AI, educators are now tasked with teaching students how to interpret AI responses. Understanding how to use AI is now imperative for students and educators to thrive in the modern world, and you need to consider all of the potential issues before you can embrace the benefits of AI in education.

1. Bias in AI Algorithms

AI learns from people, and people are flawed. Most AI tools are trained on data sets collected and applied by their creator companies. These data sets may include vast amounts of human knowledge, but they also contain the biases of the authors who authored that knowledge.

If the AI has learned from biased information, students will likely receive biased answers when interacting with the AI. Educators should focus on digital literacy and explain how AI-generated output requires critical thinking to interpret effectively. Administrators need to make sure teachers and staff are prepared to impart these skills with the right professional development.

2. Privacy Concerns

There are two main concerns when it comes to privacy and AI use in schools: how data is collected and the protection of the data collected.

Many AI tools require access to personal information. This data could be subject to breaches. These risks highlight the need for transparent and explicit data policies and regulations.

3. Falling for the Hype

Students and educators may believe that AI is the solution to all of their problems. The Edtech industry leaders are eager to push their new tools. They often have a substantial marketing budget that may encourage some to use tools without properly understanding their function.

This is where policy and personal experience come in. Most educators recognize the novelty of a new tool and, therefore, know to be on the lookout for limitations. As schools adapt AI, policy and understanding will change to ensure its appropriateness. Educators will spearhead those changes.

4. Reduced Human Interaction

As with all technological advancements, there is a concern that students will lose some other ability. In the case of AI, especially AI-assisted feedback or grading, some worry that students will feel disconnected from their teachers.

The reduction of face-to-face communication is a reality that many of us faced during the pandemic. Though AI tools make distance learning easier, AI cannot empathize in the same way as an educator. Administrators should facilitate balanced AI integration in classrooms to ensure students and teachers have the support they need.

5. Dependence on Technology

We often hear the term "overdependence on technology," but does it have a particular application in education? In the most general sense of technology, we are all dependent. When it comes to AI, the real fear is the loss of practical skills. Educators have the incredible opportunity to teach students how to use AI, why it works, and when it doesn’t.

Educators can also consider tech-free zones or lessons to assess practical skills. Students can take a break from screen time to interact with the lesson material in a more traditional way. This blended classroom experience will likely be the norm in the future.

6. Cheating and Academic Integrity

AI does open the door for academic dishonesty. ChatGPT will write an essay for your student but not necessarily write a unique or quality essay. As AI becomes more prevalent, there will be a need for innovative assessment methods and tools.

Educators can also foster an appreciation for originality and self-expression in assessments. Ideally, students will want to show their mastery of the material and will be disinclined to rely on AI to generate their submissions.

7. Accessibility Issues

Not all tools are designed with accessibility in mind. When you consider which AI tools to use, evaluate students' needs. To the best of your ability, it is imperative to reinforce the equitable distribution of resources.

8. Misinformation and Disinformation

AI language models are vulnerable to disinformation. Students may be subjected to misinformation if the organization has a poorly executed language model. It is almost impossible to hold large tech companies accountable. So, the protection against disinformation needs to come from in-house.

The uncertainty of AI-generated information is another reason to emphasize media and digital literacy and fact-checking skills. Students and educators should not assume that any one source of information, particularly AI, is entirely accurate.

9. Ethical Concerns

There are a few ethical concerns about AI in education. The main questions involve unemployment, loss of creativity, and plagiarism. Institutions need to maintain transparency in decision-making. The ethical risk of AI goes beyond education.

10. Gatekeeping Information

One less-thought-of problem with AI in education is the reduction of access to some information due to policy or other concerns. Educators are arguably the best judges of appropriate information, but filters and other limitations on an AI tool may exclude some information significant to a sensitive topic.

This type of limitation on knowledge would affect students who want to access delicate information. For example, a student researching the attack on Black Wall Street may be unable to use AI as a research tool due to the topic's disturbing nature. In these cases, traditional research would be an appropriate way to ensure adequate and objective sources.

11. Lack of Professional Development

One of the main problems with AI in education is the daunting task of policy standardization and appropriate professional development. AI is a constantly evolving medium, and though most of us are excited about its implementation in the classroom, the most significant hurdle is educators' ability to impart AI literacy skills to their students.

How to Best Use AI in Education

Even if you don’t want to use AI in your classroom, its continuing existence in many intellectual spaces is inevitable. However, we don’t need to view AI as a threat to education. In fact, educators are already implementing AI in their classrooms.

At its best, AI is not a threat; it’s a tool. There are many low-risk ways to incorporate AI into your classroom. Just remember that AI tools are just that, tools. They can help you use your expertise in creative ways, save time, and improve engagement.

So, how can you get started with AI in your classroom in ways that feel practical, safe, and aligned with your values? The key is to remember: AI tools are tools you should stay in charge of how they’re used. Instead of imagining AI taking over classrooms, think of it as an assistant that supports you behind the scenes.

For example, AI tools like ChatGPT can help you:

Draft quick parent emails
Create lesson plan outlines
Personalize formative feedback on student writing
Generate discussion questions or bell-ringer activities
Brainstorm differentiated examples for diverse interests

These small tasks add up. A tool that can write an email or a first-draft lesson outline in seconds can save you hours each week, time you can reinvest into building relationships with students, adapting lessons, or catching up on grading without feeling overwhelmed.

Of course, using AI responsibly matters. Always review AI-generated content for accuracy, tone, and relevance to your students. Think of it as a co-writer, not a decision-maker. You decide what works and what doesn’t.

What Do We Do Now?

You don't have to use AI in your classroom, and we have discussed a few reasons why that might be a bad idea. However, you can’t deny its existence, or that many of your students will have some access to it. You also don’t need to view AI as a threat to learning. Instead, when given to experts with the right professional development and AI tools, it emphasizes how much we need educators.

AI tools, at this stage, need proper guidelines, and educators are the best people for the job. Instead of dismissing AI tools because of their potential drawbacks, take the initiative and explore AI, its limitations, and its benefits. Make the right call for you and your students.

Take the Next Step

With the right mindset and practical tools, you can make AI work for you, not the other way around.

👉 Want help getting started? Download our free , a quick-start guide to help you bring AI into your classroom with clarity and confidence. for more details.

FAQ

What is one potential challenge of using artificial intelligence in education?

One challenge of using artificial intelligence in education is maintaining data privacy and security.

How can AI change the future of education?

AI has the potential to change education by providing personalized learning experiences, automating administrative tasks, and enhancing teacher-student interactions.

What are the benefits of integrating AI in virtual learning environments?

Integrating AI in virtual learning environments has several benefits. AI can analyze student interactions and adapt the content to suit their learning styles and preferences, making lessons more engaging and effective.

Delving Deeper:

For more in-depth discussions on these topics, check out our latest podcast where we explore the world of virtual learning.

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