How Can Schools Offer Equal Access to AI Tools?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is swiftly becoming the new normal in the education sector, with more institutions than ever before making use of the technology to aid in teaching and learning. Despite this fact, not every child will have equal access to the technology, and as the world begins to rely on it more and more, many students will be left behind when it comes to learning the crucial skills needed in a world driven by AI.

An ability to use AI will benefit students not only throughout their school years, but in the world of work, too. But how can schools ensure that every student gets the same access to AI tools? We take a look at some ideas in this post.

Allocate funds and resources

Not every child will have access to technology at home. If you want your students to make use of AI, you need to make it accessible within the school walls, whether that means having it available in the classroom, or on the school computers so that they can make use of it in their own time.

Similarly, you may want to allocate resources or funds to equip students with their own laptops so that they can access the technology from home. This will help to bridge the digital divide, and provide support for low-income and minority groups.

Seek external support

Equal access to AI can feel hard to achieve if you’re acting as a single establishment. So, it’s worth reaching out to other educational institutions or even government officials to see if they’re able to offer any support. There might be an opportunity to apply for a grant, or charities you can connect with, that can help to support underprivileged kids and provide access to AI tools.

Equal access to technology is important in our modern world, and you’d be surprised just how much help is out there if you express the need for more equipment. Reach out to public platforms and programs for advice on how to best utilize the opportunities available to you.

Encourage learning

Outside of having physical access to AI, there is other relevant knowledge to be shared with students. Being exposed to AI doesn’t always mean having students test it out for themselves – simply educating young people on the uses of the technology can be equally valuable, and is easily delivered through traditional learning methods.

While it’s not a comprehensive solution, teaching this theoretical knowledge does address part of the problem. By equipping students with the skills they need to understand how AI works, they’ll be better able to grasp the technology later on – this can help them to use it responsibly when they head off to college or join the workforce.

Raise awareness

Equal access to AI is possible, but change won’t come easily if you don’t flag the issue. If you’re looking to improve your school’s resources, leaning on the wider community for support may just be the answer. The more we talk about the digital divide, the greater our ability to advocate for – and generate – positive change.