AI IN CLASSROOMS FACES PUSHBACK FROM US PARENTS

A Brooklyn sixth-grader was recently assigned to get feedback from Google Gemini on a science experiment, prompting parent Kelly Clancy to question the approach with her child's teacher. Clancy, whose three children attend New York City public schools, expressed concerns about the chatbot's reliability and educational value. The push for AI integration has accelerated despite limited research demonstrating clear benefits for students. Tech firms and policymakers champion AI as a transformative educational tool, but educators and parents worry about accuracy, plagiarism enablement, and over-reliance on automated systems. Key concerns include whether AI provides meaningful feedback, potential bias in algorithms, and whether classroom time is better spent on traditional learning methods. Some educators note that AI cannot replicate personalized human instruction or critical thinking development. The debate reflects broader tension between technological innovation and educational fundamentals, with schools caught between pressure to modernize and evidence-based teaching practices.