BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The North Dakota State Legislature’s Information Technology Committee met at the capitol on Tuesday, September 10, to discuss how North Dakota educators are adapting to using artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom.

With rapid advances in computer technology, some legislators and educators have voiced concerns that students could come to rely too much on AI, affecting their ability to learn without it. A North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) representative told committee members that his department has guided school districts throughout the state on how to best incorporate AI into their lesson plans.

Steve Snow, NDDPI Assistant Director of School Approval and Opportunity, assured legislators that students have not come to depend on AI — rather, they’re still learning cognitive thinking skills while gaining an understanding of how to use the technology. He says that students will have to learn how to use AI because it is becoming widely used in many computer applications worldwide, and that it is now a component of the computer science curriculum along with the other school subjects.

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in many industries, including information technology, Snow says students learning how to master the technology will also find it beneficial to them in their future careers. “There’s a lot of companies out there using AI in their operations,” said Snow.

Snow continues to explain that if students gain the knowledge of mastering AI, it can help them find jobs and start careers in a world where technology is becoming commonly used. He adds that NDDPI is educating teachers on how to use AI in managing their lesson plans while freeing up more time to teach.

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