Presenter: Name: Katie McNamara

Title: Teacher Librarian & Assistant Professor
Organization/School: North High & Fresno Pacific University

Program Description
This session will help attendees critically examine the seemingly unrelenting tide of pressure to use generative AI in education and the impact on school libraries and K -12 students. AI technologies include many applications and definitions, but generative AI brings significant concerns that demand our attention. We will explore multiple ethical implications, potential long-term consequences, and options for moving forward.

Key areas that will be covered and discussed:

Copyright infringement of training data:
We will try to bring clarity to the gray area of AI training data, looking closely at how large language models are built on vast amounts of copyrighted works without permission, attribution, or compensation. This raises severe questions about intellectual property rights, how AI tools should or shouldn’t be used, and if there is a way to even use them while also being models of the ethical use of others’ work.

Environmental Impact: We know that the carbon footprint of training and running AI models is staggering. We will examine some of the investigations into the environmental costs associated with using this technology.

Monoculture and Bias: AI large language models are trained on data that basically reflects only a small portion of the world’s cultures and perspectives. We will take a close look at what this means for the amplification of bias, racism, misinformation and the real potential for an averaging of our knowledge and reduction in diversity and inclusivity.

False Advertising: Generative AI chatbots do not “know” anything. There is zero ability for them to know the difference between true or false, right or wrong, or good or evil. The use of the word “magic” is intentional and something we need to push back on, especially as we help students and our peers know how this technology actually works.
Privacy: Where are the generative AI inputs going? Which companies are profiting from our use of their “free” tools? What are the risks of giving these insentient tools our most important and private educational data?

Ethical Considerations: We will discuss the serious problems presented by the push to use generative artificial intelligence. Such as academic integrity, credibility, and the purpose and authenticity of our creations.

Impact on Critical Thinking and Creativity: With constant ads and pressure to use AI to “increase” our creativity, we need to stop and really think about what is happening here. How will generative AI affect our students’ and our own abilities to develop skills and abilities to learn and grow?

Learning Objectives
By the exciting climax of this riveting session, participants will…
Develop a deeper understanding of how generative artificial intelligence tools are created.
Gain a deeper understanding of how algorithms shape students' online experiences.
Critically reflect on the ethical implications of using generative AI technologies in educational settings.
Gain a greater understanding of student data privacy.
Learn to better identify potential bias and limitations in AI tools and understand their impact on diverse student populations.
Analyze the environmental costs associated with AI tech and consider sustainable alternatives.
Distinguish between the claims of capabilities versus the actual performance of AI tools.
Formulate strategies to promote critical thinking and creativity in an AI-influenced world.

Program Outline
Introduction: 5 minutes-ish
Overview of AI in Education, important definitions, promises versus reality

Copyright infringement and intellectual property: 10 minutes-ish
How AI models are trained and with what data, legal and ethical implications, examples and recent controversies

Environmental impact: 10 minutes-ish
Carbon footprint, conflict with sustainability, costs, alternatives, strategies

Monoculture and bias: 10 minutes-ish
Sources of bias, impact on students, knowledge homogenization, promoting diversity and inclusion

False advertising: 5 minutes-ish
The gap between marketed capabilities and the “transformative” power of AI versus reality, dangers of over-reliance, critical evaluation of generative AI

Impact on Critical Thinking and Creativity: 5 minutes-ish
Cognitive skill development, need for schema and background knowledge to interact with synthetic media, strategies for independent thinking and learning

Wrap-up, next steps, deep breaths: 5 minutes-ish
AI in Education: The Ethics and Implications Too Few are Talking About

Grade Level: Not grade specific

Session Strand: Teaching & Learning

Presenter
Katie McNamara

Katie McNamara serves as a teacher librarian at a public high school in California, director of the Teacher Librarian Program at Fresno Pacific University, and various EDU boards. She is a Google Certified Innovator, an ISTE Community Leader, and AASL Tech Troubadour. She served as president of the California School Library Association (2020-2021). Katie has authored contributing chapters and published many journal articles. She has won numerous awards for being innovative and sharing content. She enjoys learning, empowering teachers to inspire student learning, and frequently sharing her expertise as a national and global presenter. She is also a proud boymom. Inspire.Create.Empower.Repeat. Connect with her on social media @KatieJMcNamara.

James Allen

James Allen is the Statewide School Library Lead for the Kentucky Department of Education in the Office of Education Technology. Previously, he was a public K-12 teacher librarian for sixteen years. James is also a Google for Education Certified Innovator, an ISTE Community Leader, a member of the Future Ready Schools Librarians Advisory Team, a past president of the Kentucky Association of School Librarians, and a member of the American Association of School Librarians National Conference Committee and Professional Learning Committee.


Description: Is the use of generative artificial intelligence here to stay, the way it so often claimed? We don’t know, but we can develop our abilities to have a critical lens on this developing tech. This session will help towards the goal of understanding exactly how AI works and breaking through the near-constant push of hype and misinformation being pushed upon us. We will explore concerns including copyright infringement, environmental impact, bias amplification, and the gap between the promises of generative AI versus the reality of what it can and definitely cannot do. It is a complex landscape. Participants will gain knowledge and resources to help better navigate the serious implications of the safe, responsible, and ethical use/non-use of this technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and ensure our educational practices remain ethical, inclusive, and beneficial in this dark age of synthetic media.