Several students in the country are now in full swing talking to conversational robots at school. These are tools that are based on artificial intelligence (AI) and are adapted to different subjects. But not all students get the same offer. This is because it is up to each individual municipality to assess which AI solutions they should offer their pupils. This should not be the case, says Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap). – We see that there are major problems related to that, because there are different resource situations in the municipalities. – We are not sure that it promotes learning, and that the information security is good enough, says Nordtun. Lack of competence Half of the municipalities in the country have responded to an news survey on KI in primary schools. Over 80 per cent of these say they have not introduced an AI solution that pupils can use at school. This is due, among other things, to a lack of resources, expertise and information from the authorities. Two out of three of those who responded to the survey say they are dissatisfied with how the state authorities have informed and advised the municipalities about the use of AI solutions. Councilor in Indre Østfold municipality Jon Erik Liebermann is worried about the students who are not allowed to use AI. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news – It has been up to each individual municipality to find a solution, says adviser in Indre Østfold municipality Jon Erik Liebermann. He also lectures in artificial intelligence at Østfold University College. He is worried about the students who do not get the opportunity to use AI at school. – They will end up behind. They will not be prepared for working life in the same way as the students who have been allowed to work with KI, says Liebermann. Far more of the largest municipalities offer AI tools to pupils than the small municipalities in the country. Storting representative for the Conservative Party Margret Hagerup believes that the results of the survey show that the government has not been quick enough on the ball. Margret Hagerup (H) calls for better guidelines for the use of AI in primary schools. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news She believes the government should come up with advice on which AI tools the municipalities can offer their pupils. – There are many good examples around the country, which the authorities can take a closer look at. The authorities can give clear advice on which models are good, and which one is advised against using, says Hagerup. More government responsibility Education Minister Nordtun says the most important thing is that AI services are of high quality and that they promote pupils’ learning. – We must not jump to easy solutions such as rolling out AI completely uncritically in Norwegian schools. I constantly feel that the Conservative Party is concerned with being the first to do things, but this government is concerned with being the best possible on behalf of the children, says Nordtun. Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) believes that the municipalities must not rush to adopt AI in schools. Photo: William Jobling / news The government will now take greater state responsibility for the use of the new technology. – We see the threat it poses to students’ learning, privacy and information security. This means that we have to take a greater state responsibility linked to how the schools will use AI in teaching, says Nordtun. At the end of February, the Norwegian Directorate of Education (Udir) issued advice on artificial intelligence in schools. They have also published a skills package. According to the Minister of Knowledge, Udir will deliver an updated and expanded guide during June. Published 13.06.2024, at 05.53
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Schools struggle with AI. Now the government is warning that they will take action – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
