Artificial Intelligence and Education: Ethical Questions and Guidelines for Their Relations Based on Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education. It discusses both perspectives: the use of AI in education (AIED) and the education about AI (EDAI, also labeled as AI literacy) which combined is abbreviated as AI&ED. The AIED research has existed since the 1950s but the broader focus on AI&ED and related ethical debates is just starting now due to the new popularity in mass media and public. Thus, the ethical principles and new questions in relation to AIED are the main focus of the analysis. The discussion demonstrates that AI&ED requires a solid foundation in the core global values; that is, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The main reason is that education is a special sector with specific conditions. On the one hand, education is a human right, and on the other hand, education is mandatory for school pupils. In addition, education should strengthen and contribute to inclusion and equity, also in AI&ED. Thus, the educational sector needs AI&ED regulations as well as careful considerations and ethical reflections to guarantee human, democratic, and safe developments for our learners as well as for our future generations of society. It can be concluded from our discussion that for sustainable and responsible AI&ED we have to follow and realize three ethical imperatives: technology-independent, impactoriented, and society-focused. These ethical demands require holistic approaches for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of AI&ED to guarantee positive impacts and benefits of AIED.