Today was probably the most conflicting day I’ve had in a while. We finally had a PD set up for all the TV production teachers in the district to work together. We shared every level of equipment and what software people can use, and as a group we were successful. Teachers were asking questions, guiding others in how to use software in different ways. We didn’t just sit through the same training that most of us have experienced for years.

However, when we walked into the district mandated Khanmigo training, it took that feeling away. How are we supposed to feel as humans and as educators being forced and told time and time again to use artificial intelligence in place of our teaching? The replacement is a reading between the lines because the trainer said that Khanmigo was to be treated as an assistant and as our partner. Unfortunately, the entire presentation showed how human teachers could become null and void. 

Palm Beach County spent billions of dollars developing this artificial intelligence teacher assistant. Students are mandated to have at least 10 interactions with the artificial intelligence system a week or a month; I can’t really remember. But these interactions are supposed to hold a conversation with the robot. One teacher suggested we just have them log in and say hi to the AI. I shut down that idea quickly. I don’t have time to say, okay guys, don’t pay attention to me; ask the robot whatever you want. The amount of stuff my students have been flagged asking Khanmigo is absurd. Most usually ask about why some people in history killed themselves. Or how they can do horrible things to the robot. I would love to say here, ask the robot this question, but then the students will continue talking to the AI and ignore that class is starting. 

My real problem is that they don’t encourage us to have one-on-one conversations with our students. The county already is shoving down our throats this trusted adult system, but why are we not actually working on developing a strong bond with our students? Students are being encouraged ‌to ask questions and develop a relationship with the robot. It seems counterproductive. Maybe instead of our classrooms being heavily focused on tests, and earning money for the schools, we actually teach what we are trying to have the robots teach.

The session started with an example of a poorly written “Khanstruct-a-Prompt” about scriptwriting. It was truly degrading to read. But it was supposed to encourage teachers to develop one that would work better to engage with our students. And the next example did just that. The AI chooses a scene, does a scene breakdown, gives examples of how to write a script, elements needed in a script, and helps the students write their own scene. But all of this is passive. The student isn’t being engaged with. They aren’t checking in on what the student understands. 

At this point, I don’t have a job. That is what I teach my students at the beginning of their film class. I spent hours finding sources and examples for my students. Going over every way to write unique elements of a script. But it seems like it was all pointless if I tell the students, enter this prompt and talk to the robot. Mind you, I have done it with the robot; it gets stuck. It doesn’t understand the nuances of dialogue, and after a while, it keeps pushing out the same nonsense over and over again. 

After a few more examples, we filled out a paper and chose the role of AI. We filled in the instructions and standards the AI is to use, how it is to support the students, and the expectations of the students. But aren’t all of those elements what teachers are supposed to do? 

I am confused. I thought I was supposed to teach, not robots. Or is the district trying to figure out how to get rid of teachers outside of being glorified babysitters?

Now, this whole concept isn’t totally evil. Especially for teachers who don’t care about their job. I have heard plenty of students say they have teachers who don’t actually teach. I’ve had to help them learn how to research and write papers. If they have math questions, I just tell them I will pray for them and to go ask their teacher. They end up rolling their eyes and just googling the answer and never learning how to solve the problem.

But what about the teachers who actually teach? 

Are we supposed to stare at the back of the kids’ heads because we have prompted the AI to act like a teacher? That was a suggestion repeated multiple times in the session today. That we should prompt the AI to act like a teacher. The presenter kept referring to the Khanmigo as our assistant and encouraged us to talk with the AI to collaborate with it. 

I find it amusing that it’s named Khanmigo, aside from being a production of Khan Academy. The name Khan only brings two people to mind; Genghis Khan and Khan from Star Trek. Both are villains. I’m just trying to figure out what kind of villain this software is. Is it ruthless invaders or is it somebody with vengeance trying to destroy an entire race because they were wronged? 

Either way, I can see the forced implementation of AI in this way could destroy some teachers. Outsiders wonder why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Once upon a time, the answer was rude kids or nasty parents. But now, more than not people don’t want to fight with the new mandatory “resource” that is to help “supplement” our lessons.