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Every student in Ireland using popular messaging app Snapchat has easy access to a personal “homework genie” powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that can do their assignments in a matter of seconds.
That is the warning from teacher Patrick Hickey, an Irish expert in AI and education, who believes that most teachers, principals, and parents are unaware that students have access to this level of AI “in their back pocket”.
Teachers have raised serious concerns over the planned rollout of Leaving Cert reform given the rapid advancements in AI technology.
As calls for AI training and guidelines for educators grow, Mr Hickey said he is concerned at how social media is “awash” with the marketing of AI tools targeting students, which “devalue” the teaching and learning process.
An investigation has found social media content across a number of platforms promoting easily available AI software, specifically targeting students and often advertised as “undetectable”.
Trending and viral trends are frequently used to promote such programmes, which encourage students to ‘speedrun’ essays or complete up to nine hours of work in just nine seconds.
TikTok has removed a number of examples when brought to its attention by this newspaper. TikTok’s community guidelines do not allow attempts to defraud or scam, including facilitating the trade of fake documents.
The Irish Examiner also used Snapchat’s My AI feature to complete a random selection of questions, typical of the homework assigned to most 15-year-old students.
The chatbot feature answered maths, history, and French questions in seconds, including answering questions in English from a French reading comprehension. It also wrote a 500-word analysis of a Shakespearean play, including quotes, as well as a postcard to a friend in Irish.
Leaving Cert reform needs to be paused to consider the full implications of AI, according to Mr Hickey.
“As is, we are going to spend an awful lot of time and money on training and resources and it’s going to be obsolete,” he said.
A spokesman for the Department of Education said it is developing guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning, which is expected to be circulated to schools by the end of March: “The guidance will support teachers to mediate the use of AI in teaching and learning.”
Teacher support service Oide has a number of AI courses and resources available for schools on its dedicated AI hub, he added.
Senior Cycle redevelopment is being introduced in phases, with its implementation spanning almost 10 years, the spokesman said.
“We are committed to working with everyone involved to support its phased implementation.”
The department supports Webwise, which provides explainers on AI tools such as ChatGPT and Snapchat’s My AI.
It also works with Coimisiún na Meán. He added: “Research, EU and national regulatory changes, and insights from Coimisiún na Meán will continue to guide the department’s efforts to support schools and teachers in navigating the challenges and opportunities AI brings to education.”
Through Snapchat’s Family Center, parents can see if their teens are using My AI and restrict the ability for My AI to respond to chats from their teen.
Snapchat said it is monitoring how My AI is being used and what improvements are needed.