AI in the Classroom: Protecting Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Student Voice

How can we help students use AI without losing the ability to think for themselves? I joined the Research Triangle AI Society’s AI Education & Ethics panel to discuss what artificial intelligence means for students, teachers, and families. Drawing on my classroom experience, I shared approaches to using AI for feedback while keeping students’ own ideas, authentic voices, and independent judgment at the center of learning. Our conversation explored educational equity, the enduring value of the humanities, and why human relationships remain essential as technology changes. Recorded October 10, 2026, in Durham, North Carolina. Hosted by the Research Triangle AI Society.