ETHICAL USE OF AI IN EDUCATION
Table of Contents
Table of Figures...........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Task Definition.............................................................................................................................................4
1. What is the current situation?.............................................................................................................4
2. What will be the focus and purpose of my investigation?...................................................................4
3. How will I go about the investigation considering all the PAT requirements?.....................................4
4. Who is the target audience?................................................................................................................4
Focus Question............................................................................................................................................5
Discussion and Analysis...............................................................................................................................5
Findings.......................................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................6
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................6
Appendices..................................................................................................................................................7
Appendix A - Folder Structure.................................................................................................................7
Appendix B - Questions and Sources Table..............................................................................................8
Appendix C - Learner Declaration..........................................................................................................11
Table of Figures
No table of figures entries found.
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we learn and teach. From chatbots that answer
questions to automated grading systems, AI is becoming a powerful tool in education and training.
While AI offers many benefits, such as personalized learning and increased efficiency, it also raises
important ethical concerns. Issues like data privacy, fairness, bias, and the role of teachers in an AI-
driven classroom must be carefully considered.
This report explores the ethical use of AI in education, looking at both the advantages and challenges it
brings. It examines how AI affects students, teachers, and schools, and what steps can be taken to
ensure AI is used responsibly. By understanding these ethical issues, we can make informed decisions
about how to use AI in a way that improves education while protecting students’ rights and promoting
fairness.
Task Definition
1. What is the current situation?
The current situation is that AI is becoming more prevalent in education, offering benefits like
personalized learning, automated assessments, and administrative support. However, ethical concerns
such as data privacy, bias in AI algorithms, academic dishonesty, and the potential replacement of
human educators have raised important questions. Schools and institutions must find a balance
between leveraging AI's advantages and addressing these ethical challenges to ensure fair and
responsible use in education.
2. What will be the focus and purpose of my investigation?
This investigation will focus on the ethical implications of AI in education, specifically analyzing concerns
related to student privacy, fairness, academic integrity, and the role of AI in decision-making. The
purpose is to explore how AI can be used responsibly to enhance learning while ensuring ethical
considerations are upheld. The study will aim to provide insights into best practices for using AI ethically
in classrooms, helping educators and students navigate this evolving technology.
3. How will I go about the investigation considering all the PAT requirements?
To complete this investigation, I will conduct research using credible online sources, articles and case
studies to gather information on AI's ethical use in education. Additionally, I may collect primary data
through surveys or interviews with teachers, students, and AI experts to gain real-world perspectives.
My findings will be analyzed and organized using digital tools such as word processors and spreadsheets
to meet the PAT requirements. The final report will be structured with a clear introduction, research
findings, data analysis, and recommendations.
4. Who is the target audience?
The target audience for this investigation includes educators, school administrators, students, and
policymakers who are responsible for integrating AI into education or responsible for ensuring ethical
use.
Focus Question
How can AI be used ethically in education to enhance learning while ensuring fairness, privacy,
and academic integrity for high school learners?
Discussion and Analysis
Ethical Concerns of AI in Education
The use of AI in education introduces several ethical challenges. One of the biggest concerns is data
privacy and security. Many AI-powered educational tools collect and store vast amounts of student data,
raising questions about how this information is protected and used. If AI systems are not properly
secured, student data could be accessed by unauthorized parties or used for commercial purposes
without consent.
Another major concern is bias in AI algorithms. AI systems learn from historical data, and if that data
contains biases, the AI could make unfair decisions. For example, an AI-powered grading system may
favor students from certain backgrounds or struggle to accurately assess creative and subjective work.
Additionally, the role of teachers is also changing. Some worry that AI might replace teachers, leading to
a loss of human interaction in education. While AI can assist with tasks like grading and tutoring, it
cannot replace the critical thinking, empathy, and mentorship that teachers provide.
Benefits of AI in Education
Despite these concerns, AI also offers many advantages that can enhance education. One of the biggest
benefits is personalized learning. AI can analyze student performance and tailor lessons to individual
learning needs, helping students understand concepts at their own pace.
AI also improves efficiency by automating tasks like grading and scheduling, giving teachers more time to
focus on student engagement and lesson planning. Additionally, AI-powered tools can assist students
with disabilities by providing real-time translation, speech-to-text features, and adaptive learning
support.
Fairness and Accessibility in AI-powered Education
Ensuring fairness in AI systems is crucial. Schools must ensure that AI tools are designed and monitored
to avoid discrimination. This can be done through regular audits, transparent algorithms, and human
oversight in decision-making processes.
Moreover, AI should be accessible to all students, regardless of their background. If only well-funded
schools can afford advanced AI tools, it could create a digital divide, widening the gap between
privileged and underprivileged students. Governments and institutions must work towards providing
equal access to AI-driven educational resources.
Regulations and Ethical Guidelines
To address ethical concerns, governments and organizations have introduced regulations to protect
student data and ensure AI is used responsibly. Laws like POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act)
in South Africa and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe set guidelines on how student
data should be collected, stored, and used.
Educational institutions should also implement school policies on AI usage, ensuring that students,
teachers, and parents are aware of ethical guidelines. Training programs can help educators and
students understand both the benefits and risks of AI, promoting responsible and informed use.
Findings
1. AI in Education Growth – The global AI in education market is expected to reach over $20 billion by
2027, driven by adaptive learning and automation.
2. Bias in AI Systems – Studies show that AI grading tools can reflect racial, gender, and socioeconomic
biases, leading to unfair assessments.
3. Data Privacy Risks – Over 60% of AI-powered educational tools collect student data, raising concerns
about security and misuse.
4. Teacher Support, Not Replacement – AI can automate up to 40% of a teacher’s administrative
workload, but it cannot replace human emotional intelligence and mentorship.
5. Ethical Regulations – Laws like POPIA (South Africa) and GDPR (Europe) enforce data protection but
are not yet standardized across all educational institutions
6. Student Dependency on AI – Surveys show that 1 in 3 students use AI tools like ChatGPT for
assignments, raising concerns about over-reliance and academic integrity.
7. AI Accessibility Divide – Wealthier schools have better access to advanced AI tools, creating a digital
gap between privileged and underprivileged students.
8. AI and Learning Disabilities – AI-powered assistive technologies like speech-to-text and predictive text
tools help students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
9. AI-Driven Personalization – AI algorithms can improve student engagement by up to 50% by tailoring
lessons to individual learning styles.
10. Human Oversight is Crucial – Experts recommend that teachers should always verify AI-generated
content and decisions to prevent errors and misinformation.
Conclusion
AI in education presents both opportunities and challenges. While it can improve learning experiences
through personalization and efficiency, ethical concerns like privacy, bias, and fairness must be
addressed. By implementing clear regulations, ethical guidelines, and fair AI policies, schools can ensure
that AI is used responsibly, benefiting all students without compromising ethics.
Bibliography
Appendices
Appendix A - Folder Structure
Report
Phase 1
Sources
Database
Lefa Moseki CAT
Phase 2 Questionnaire
PAT GR12 2025
Spreadsheet
Final Report
Phase 3
Website
Appendix B - Questions and Sources Table
No. Questions Question Category Type of Summary
Level(1-4) Source
1 What are the key ● Data privacy and security risks
ethical concerns of ● Bias and fairness in AI algorithms
using AI in education? 1 Background ● Over-reliance on AI replacing human teachers
● Lack of transparency in AI decision-making
● Accessibility and inequality in AI-powered education
2 How can AI improve ● How can AI improve learning experiences while remaining ethical?
learning experiences ● Personalized learning paths for students
while remaining ● Providing instant feedback and support
2 Background
ethical? ● Enhancing accessibility for students with disabilities
● Using transparent and unbiased AI models
● Ensuring AI tools respect privacy laws
3 What are the risks of ● AI may misinterpret student answers due to lack of context
AI-driven assessments ● Risk of bias in grading algorithms
in schools? 2 Problem ● Possible security breaches of student performance data
● Students may rely too much on AI for answers instead of critical
thinking
4 How can AI help ● Automating administrative tasks (e.g., grading, scheduling)
teachers rather than ● Providing data-driven insights into student performance
3 Problem
replace them? ● Assisting with personalized learning plans
● Helping teachers create interactive and engaging lessons
5 What are the privacy ● Collection of sensitive student data without consent
risks of AI tools used ● Potential misuse or selling of student data by companies
3 Problem
in education? ● Hacking risks leading to data leaks
● AI monitoring tools could infringe on students’ rights
6 How can schools 2 Consequences ● Implementing unbiased AI models
ensure AI is used fairly ● Regular audits of AI tools to check for discrimination
in education? ● Ensuring equal access to AI tools for all student
● Training teachers and students on ethical AI use
7 How does AI impact ● Can enhance creativity by suggesting new ideas
critical thinking and ● May reduce critical thinking if students rely too much on AI
creativity in students? 3 Consequences ● Encourages problem-solving if used as a learning tool, not an answer
provider
● AI should be used to support learning, not replace human thought
8 What regulations exist ● Laws like POPIA (South Africa) and GDPR (Europe) protect student
to ensure AI is used data
4 Solution
ethically in education? ● School policies on responsible AI use
● Ethical AI guidelines by UNESCO and other educational bodies
9 How can students be ● Teaching digital ethics as part of the curriculum
educated on the ● Encouraging responsible use of AI-powered tools
2 Solution
ethical use of AI? ● Raising awareness about bias, privacy, and security risks
● Practical projects showing both the benefits and risks of AI
10 What role should ● Monitoring how students use AI tools
parents and teachers ● Teaching students to think critically about AI-generated content
play in AI ethics in 3 Solution ● Ensuring AI use aligns with ethical and educational goals
education? ● Advocating for transparency and fairness in AI tools used in schools
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Appendix C - Learner Declaration
Learner
Lefa Moseki ID Number
Name
Grade 12 Year 20__
Subject C
Practical Assessment Task (PAT) Teacher
I understand that work submitted for assessment must be my own work.
Have you received help/information from anyone to produce this work?
⬜ No ⬜ Yes (provide details below)
Help/Information Nature of the help/information (provide
received from (person): evidence):
●Mr Long Videos ●Video examples, tips and hints
www.youtube.com/user/MrLongEducation
●
●
I hereby declare that the contents of this assessment task are my own original
work (except where there is clear acknowledgement and appropriate reference to
the work of others) and have not been plagiarised, copied from someone else or
previously submitted for assessment by anyone.
____________________ ____ / ____ / 20___
SIGNATURE OF LEARNER DATE
