Instead of panicking about the use of AI like ChatGPT among young people, a measured and pedagogical approach is necessary to integrate the technology into education. This involves revising exam formats and teaching principles, not to combat AI, but to equip students with the skills to master it responsibly.
The future job market will require AI proficiency, making it crucial for students to learn its responsible use. One example highlighted the potential pitfalls of unsupervised AI use, where students struggled to write essays independently after relying heavily on ChatGPT.
Danish Gymnasiums suggests integrating AI into teaching, followed by oral defenses of students’ choices. Skanderborg Gymnasium is already experimenting with controlled and meaningful AI integration. On-site tests, oral defenses, and writing zones without AI access can be implemented to provide clarity and direction.
Rather than knee-jerk reactions, a pedagogical adaptation is needed. Minister of Education Mattias Tesfaye suggested using pen-and-paper exams in a transitional phase. In the long run, AI should be integrated into the students’ professional toolbox.
Since AI is already widespread, the state-appointed expert group’s recommendations should be considered. Combining technological competence with traditional education is possible through double exam formats and oral presentations.
By incorporating the technology into the classroom, the framework for responsible use can be established. AI is not cheating, but an educational task.
Being proactive offers a chance to take control, but it requires the courage to move beyond reflexive rejection. The integration of AI into teaching is similar to the earlier integration of calculators and the internet.
Teaching young people to both use and challenge technology is the only way to ensure their agency in the long term. It is more difficult to rethink teaching than to ban new technologies, but it is far more sustainable. ChatGPT is an opportunity to strengthen both professionalism and judgment.