Presentation slides from Jisc's "an introduction to the ethics of AI in education" event held on 7 December 2021. This presentation aims: - To introduce the ethical issues associated with using AI in education​ - To explain how ethical issues can be avoided, managed, mitigated and/or overcome​ - To introduce you to the Ethical Framework for AI in Education and the Pathway to Ethical AI

1. An Introduction to the ethics of AI in education
The National Centre for AI in Education:
Accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence

2. Session aims:
•To introduce the ethical issues associated with using AI in education
•To explain how ethical issues can be avoided, managed, mitigated and/or
overcome
•To introduce you to the Ethical Framework for AI in Education and the Pathway
to Ethical AI

3. What is artificial intelligence?
“The term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) refers to those
computer systems capable of performing tasks that
would normally require some intelligence if done
by humans.” – UK Government definition

4. Applications
of AI
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.1ZEwXLHuXeGNKxu0v9p1
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https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.eBpuAeANmO9p_plk5dgF
SwHaEI?w=306&h=180&c=7&o=5&dpr=1.5&pid=1.7 Link in notes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ideonexus/402279004
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5. Why is an ethical approach is needed?
•Prominent cases of algorithmic bias
•Backlashes against encroachments on individual privacy
•Harm/offense caused by out-of-control products
•Uses of data to manipulate users/citizens

6. What is it about AI that gives rise to ethical issues?
• Information. AI systems process and draw insight from data (including personal data), which has privacy
implications.
• Extrapolation. AI systems tend to make judgements based on extrapolations from past events to future ones.
This can bake in and/or exacerbate previous biases, and can, to some extent, lock-in future outcomes, thereby
compromising individual autonomy.
• Automation. By performing tasks autonomously, AI systems can disrupt accountability structures and undermine
human agency and control. These issues can be amplified by the fact that AI systems are often unable to explain
how particular outcomes are reached.
• Imitation. Because they often emulate humans in certain ways (assuming a gender, personality, position of
authority), people may be encouraged to treat AI systems like humans. This can lead to placing too much trust in
them, to the undermining of human-human interactions, and to people treating AI systems in inappropriate ways.

7. How is an ethical approach being realised?

8. Seven Key Requirements
of Trustworthy AI

9. The House of Lords’ recommended overarching principles

10. What resources are available to the sector?
•The Ethical Framework for AI in Education
•The Pathway to Ethical AI

11. The Ethical Framework for AI in Education
•Sets out steps that educational institutions can take in order to help them
to use AI ethically and with purpose (it focuses on deployment, rather than
development).
•Was developed by The Institute for Ethical AI in Education, University
of Buckingham.
•Draws upon insights from consultations with educators, technologists,
academics, learners, philosophers and ethicists, and policy makers from
around the world.

12. 9 Ethical Objectives
•‘Achieving Educational Goals. AI should be used to achieve well-defined educational
goals based on strong societal, educational or scientific evidence that this is for the benefit of
learner’
•‘Forms of Assessment. AI should be used to assess and recognise a broader range of
learners' talents.’
•‘Administration and Workload. AI should increase the capacity of organisations whilst
respecting human relationships’
•‘Equity. AI systems should be used in ways that promote equity between different groups
of learners and not in ways that discriminate against any group of learners.’
•‘Autonomy. AI systems should be used to increase the level of control that learners have
over their learning and development’

13. •‘Privacy. A balance should be struck between privacy and the legitimate use of data for
achieving well-defined and desirable educational goals.’
•‘Transparency and Accountability. Humans are ultimately responsible for educational
outcomes and should therefore have an appropriate level of oversight of how AI systems
operate.’
•‘Informed Participation. Learners, educators and other relevant practitioners should
have a reasonable understanding of artificial intelligence and its implications.’
•‘Ethical Design. AI resources should be designed by people who understand the impacts
these resources will have.’
Continued…

14. •The Ethical Framework translates these objectives into actionable criteria
•The stage at which actions should take place (e.g. pre-procurmenet,
procurement, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) are clearly
highlighted
•A number of the actions require educational institutions to seek
information/guarantees from organisations that provide AI software.

15. Link:
The Ethical Framework for AI in Education