WATERFORD, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Oakland County Intermediate School District is budgeting $1 million to create an AI Strategy Team to deal with the controversial issue of how to deal with artificial intelligence in education.

“It has become clear that education service agencies must harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address the growing complexities of education,” the Oakland ISD stated in a budget document. “AI presents an unparalleled opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, support instruction, and enable data-driven decision making, offering significant benefits to the 28 districts Oakland Schools proudly serves.”

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The district continued: “This effort positions Oakland Schools as an innovation leader, fully aligned with our mission to provide forward thinking, high-impact solutions that empower educators and improve outcomes for every student we serve.”

Local school districts such as Dexter and Traverse City have implemented programs and strategies that are evaluating the use of AI, such as ChatGPT in classrooms.

The University of Illinois has stated that the power of AI and the benefits it can deliver outweigh the fears of cheating it has raised.

“Generative AI has opened up a whole new world to administrators, educators, and students,” the University of Illinois stated in a 2024 press release. “The power of AI is undeniable, and understanding the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in education is essential for making informed decisions. To best use AI in schools, teachers and administrators need to know AI’s advantages and challenges. Generative AI is here to stay, and its impact on the field of education will only grow as artificial intelligence continues to develop. While the specter of students using AI to cheat has raised concerns among educators around the world, the potential positive and productive uses of AI counterbalance those fears.”