I was browsing through TikTok when I found a video from ABC7NY talking about the new policy regarding artificial intelligence in schools in New York City. It was interesting to watch as artificial intelligence has become a standard part of education and everyday life. The video explained that New York City is adopting a one-year ban on the use of generative AI by students from K through 8th grade. The video also mentioned that students in high school would be taught AI literacy and would have limited access to AI. Since the video was created and published by the news organization, and because it is a news account, this platform aims to inform its audience about policy news.
Nevertheless, the way of presenting the information is as important as the content of the message. The TikTok format allows the information to reach the audience very fast without providing many details. TikTok utilizes a brief news format whose goal is to attract the audience’s attention quickly. It simplifies a complex topic about education and technology in just a few sentences. The combination of video and social media allows the information to be easily embraced by the younger audience while scrolling through their timelines.
TikTok utilizes a brief news format whose goal is to attract the audience’s attention quickly. It simplifies a topic about education and technology in just a few sentences. The combination of video and social media allows the information to be easily absorbed by the younger audience while scrolling through their timelines. People interested in education, New York City schools, technology, students, and parents are the intended audience. Sharing the story on TikTok makes it accessible to younger users who do not necessarily consume traditional television news, such as myself.
The message refers to the need for schools to balance the use of technology, student learning, and the responsible adoption of AI tools. This got me thinking about how quickly AI is being implemented into education, yet schools still have to figure out the limits of that implementation.
Who may benefit from this type of message, you might ask? The news outlets have the advantage of reaching out to their audience and informing them about relevant information on current affairs. The city authorities can also get to the public with the facts about their policies. Generally, students and parents can gain from a message because they will find out about any changes that influence their education.
Having seen this TikTok video has challenged my own thoughts concerning AI in school. AI has benefits, but the most important value is teaching students how to think for themselves and understand the technology behind it. Instead of asking if AI is “good” or “bad,” a more important question is how education should teach students to use it ethically.
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Notes to Self 
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