Understanding the Ethics of AI in Education
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 16, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) has already made an impact in education, and many expect it to continue to do so in the future. Meanwhile, AI adoption is not universal yet—primary concerns revolve around the ethics of AI in education.
According to a Jobs for the Future (JFF) survey, only 31% of learners reported that their institution permitted full AI use, while 11% reported a complete ban on AI use. As for teachers, 61% reported using AI in some way in 2025, up from 34% in 2023, while about 50% of teachers said they had taken at least one professional development course on AI in 2025, according to Education Week.
AI provides new opportunities for both learners and teachers. For teachers, specifically, it can help with lesson planning, personalization, and administrative work. Many teachers are optimistic about the technology. NPR reports that 75% of K-12 teachers interviewed believed that AI would have a greater effect on education than the internet or personal computers.
However, concerns remain, particularly regarding the ethics of AI in education. A Master of Education (MEd) program can prepare educators to navigate these challenges by developing practical strategies for using technology responsibly and ethically in today’s classrooms.
How Is AI Used in Education?
AI can help teachers save time on planning, assessments, and feedback. Students can use AI tools for personalized instruction and extra practice. Four common uses are intelligent tutoring, lesson planning, assessment creation, and feedback on student work.
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Intelligent tutoring systems adjust lessons, provide extra explanations, and change the difficulty level based on student progress. For example, AI tools in special education can help teachers identify and focus on areas that need improvement for students with special needs. A 2023 meta-analysis published by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) found that these AI systems had a small but positive effect on learning, particularly in helping students acquire knowledge.
Lesson and Assessment Planning
A teacher can use an AI tool to help with lesson planning by creating a science lesson for different reading levels, then reviewing and adapting the material for the class. Teachers can also use AI to create quizzes, worksheets, and assignments by turning a history lesson into a short quiz with multiple-choice questions to assess student performance.
Gallup found that 37% of teachers used AI at least monthly to plan lessons or review instructional materials during the 2024-25 school year. Among teachers who used it for preparation, 80% said it saved time.
Feedback on Student Work
Teachers can use AI for grading and feedback, though they’re often cautious about doing so. According to a Gallup study of teachers who used AI for grading or feedback, 79% said it saved time, with 57% reporting improvement in the quality of the feedback. An example of how AI could be useful in providing feedback is identifying unclear sentences or repeated grammatical problems in student essays. Instead of using AI to grade student papers, teachers can use the tool and its suggestions to provide feedback.
4 Ethical Issues of AI in Education
Regarding the ethics of AI in education, four concerns are common. Schools and educators can have a direct role in addressing each one and effectively integrating technology into the classroom.
Below are some concerns about the ethics of AI in education.
Algorithmic Bias and Unequal Outcomes
AI systems rely on historical data, which can perpetuate inequities in education. Automated grading and adaptive learning tools may benefit some students more than others without making those disparities clear. Educators can combat these issues by reviewing AI outputs critically and using their judgment in complex situations.
Student Data Privacy
AI tools collect student information, some of which is legally protected. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguards students’ educational records, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires the confidentiality of personally identifiable information related to their disability status, including information in individualized education programs (IEPs). These protections apply even when data is shared with external systems. Educators can check what data the tool collects and whether their district has a written agreement with the AI tool vendor.
Human Oversight and Overreliance
AI can spot issues and assign scores, but there are risks to accepting AI outputs without question. Doing so can lead to errors and reinforce bias. Educators are better equipped to provide context about individual student performance challenges, so it’s important to leave decisions about placements and grades to them. If an AI recommendation doesn’t fit the student, educators should document their reasons for disagreeing with it.
The Gap in AI Training
A review published in the journal Technology, Pedagogy and Education shows a gap between expected AI literacy and actual classroom practice. Closing this gap is essential and requires upskilling and educational programs for teachers that place AI ethics as an important component of modern teaching strategies.
The Role of Teachers in AI and Ethics
Teachers play an important role in elevating the importance of the ethics of AI in education. They can help guide students in the responsible use of AI. For example, they can show students how to check AI-generated information, recognize bias, protect personal data, and give proper credit when AI contributes to their work.
Teachers must also decide when AI supports learning and when it may replace some of the activities students need to do themselves. Teachers can do the following:
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Provide clear classroom guidelines to help students understand these boundaries
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Discuss accuracy, privacy, fairness, and academic honesty in relation to AI
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Guide students in the use of AI as a learning tool without relying on it to make every decision or complete every assignment
Build Cutting-Edge Skills to Make a Greater Impact on Students
Long before generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude became widely available, educators were already using AI through learning management systems (LMSs) such as Google Classroom and Canvas. Today, AI is built into many of the other tools teachers use daily.
While AI is helping make it easier than ever to bring these tools into the classroom, understanding AI ethics and using it responsibly are becoming increasingly important. Educators who know the challenges can help improve learning while guiding students through questions involving accuracy, privacy, bias, and academic honesty—all important in the conversation about the ethics of AI in education.
Learn how Wilson College Online’s MEd program can help educators strengthen their teaching skills, use current educational technologies, and apply research-based practices in the classroom. Taught by experienced practitioners and educators, the flexible program can help teachers create more effective learning experiences and make a greater impact on students.
Recommended Readings
5 Differentiated Instruction Strategies for Teachers
Education Career Paths by Degree
Do Teachers Need a Master’s Degree?
Sources:
CIDDL, What Every Educator Should Know About Ethics, Data, and Decision-Making When Using AI
Education Week, “More Teachers Are Using AI in Their Classrooms. Here’s Why”
EDUCAUSE Review, “Striking a Balance: Navigating the Ethical Dilemmas of AI in Higher Education”
Gallup, “Three in 10 Teachers Use AI Weekly, Saving Six Weeks a Year”
National Education Association, III. The Current State of Artificial Intelligence in Education
NPR, “Most K-12 Teachers Say AI’s Impact on Education Will Eclipse the Internet or Computers”
UNESCO, AI in Education: Ensuring Ethical and Human-centered Integration
