"OpenAI's education chief advocates for novel strategies to incorporate AI into school curriculum"
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, artificial intelligence (AI) is making its mark as a powerful tool to enhance learning experiences and foster critical thinking. Companies like OpenAI and Kira Learning are at the forefront of this revolution, introducing innovative features and solutions to help students achieve a deeper understanding.
OpenAI, a leading AI research company, has recently introduced a new feature called "Learning Mode" in its popular chatbot, ChatGPT. This feature provides students with guide questions tailored to their understanding level and learning goals, aimed at promoting a deeper, more immersive learning experience.
Leah Belsky, OpenAI's Vice President of Education, is a strong advocate for the use of AI in schools. She believes that handling technology should be taught early on and that every graduate should know how to use AI in their daily life. Belsky compares AI to a calculator, emphasising its role as a tool to foster critical thinking and creativity rather than as an answer machine.
Kira Learning, a startup led by Google Brain co-founder Andrew Ng, shares similar goals. The company aims to help teachers without computer science knowledge effectively teach the subject. Kira Learning has launched a series of AI agents to assist in this endeavour, providing a platform for teachers to create interactive, personalised lessons that promote engagement and critical thinking.
However, AI code is prone to errors, and anyone using AI should have a certain level of programming knowledge or know someone who does to check the AI's work. This is why Kira Learning's goal is to introduce "friction" into students' conversations with AI at the right phases to promote productive struggle and learning.
The current approaches to integrating AI in education focus on embedding AI literacy across disciplines to promote productivity and critical thinking rather than limiting it to computer science alone. Educators are encouraged to use multidisciplinary methods—such as using AI tools in math, science, ethics debates, and language arts—to enable students to engage with authentic, real-world problems.
Institutional frameworks like the Digital Education Council’s Ten Dimension AI Readiness Framework help schools assess and enhance their readiness for system-wide AI adoption, aligning efforts with educational goals and addressing governance, research, and operational needs. Governmental initiatives such as the 2025 Executive Order on Advancing AI in Education underscore coordinated national strategies for AI literacy development, educator training, early integration, and workforce preparation.
AI-powered educational tools, such as Curipod and SchoolAI, support active, student-centered learning and reduce administrative burdens while emphasising data privacy and security. These tools enable dynamic, interactive lessons and personalised recommendations that promote engagement and critical thinking.
Regarding concerns about cheating and 'mental laziness'—issues tied to over-reliance on AI to complete assignments without deep engagement—companies like OpenAI and Kira Learning address these by promoting responsible AI use and integrating AI as a cognitive assistant rather than a shortcut. OpenAI encourages users to employ AI tools to enhance understanding and creativity, supplementing human effort rather than replacing it, and provides usage guidelines to discourage misuse.
In summary, the current educational integration of AI promotes multidisciplinary, literacy-focused frameworks supported by teacher training and interactive tools that enhance productivity and critical thinking. Companies directly involved in AI education proactively tackle cheating and 'mental laziness' by advocating responsible use, transparency, and AI as an aid to human cognition rather than a substitute.
As universities and educational institutions struggle to keep up with finding new ways to keep learning fun, it is likely that tech companies will play a significant role in shaping the future of education, leveraging AI to create engaging, effective, and accessible learning experiences for all.
What role could artificial-intelligence play in personal-growth and education-and-self-development in the future? OpenAI, a leading AI research company, has introduced a new feature called "Learning Mode" in its chatbot, ChatGPT, aimed at promoting deeper, more immersive learning experiences for students. Kira Learning, a startup led by Andrew Ng, is working to help teachers without computer science knowledge effectively teach AI, promoting engagement and critical thinking among students. However, it's important for users to have a certain level of programming knowledge when using AI, as AI code is prone to errors. In the summary of the current educational integration of AI, it's clear that companies in this field are addressing concerns about cheating and 'mental laziness' by advocating responsible use, transparency, and AI as an aid to human cognition rather than a substitute, helping to keep learning fun and accessible for all.