Hong Kong teachers must be cautious over integrating AI into classrooms but tool can transform learning, education chief says

Education minister Christine Choi acknowledges tool’s power in reshaping education but also expresses concerns over potential for plagiarism and decline in critical thinking

Choi makes comments at Principals’ Forum, where more than 200 school heads and teachers gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges AI presents

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It is essential that teachers exercise professional judgment in how AI is used, Secretary for Education Christine Choi told the Hong Kong Principals’ Forum. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 8:28pm, 12 Dec 2023Updated: 10:59pm, 12 Dec 2023

Hong Kong’s education minister has urged teachers to remain cautious over the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into classrooms while acknowledging its transformative potential in revolutionising students’ learning.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin was addressing the Principals’ Forum on Tuesday, when more than 200 school heads and teachers gathered to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presented.

Choi acknowledged the tool’s power in reshaping education but also expressed her concerns over the potential for plagiarism and a decline in critical thinking skills.

“AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool that has the potential to reshape the learning and teaching landscape,” she told the forum organised by the Post. “It also brings about opportunities for students, educators and the entire education ecosystem to thrive and shine.

“[AI] is well known for its remarkable strength in facilitating personalised learning. It enables students … to learn at their own pace by adjusting content and pace to suit individual learning needs.”

Panellists discuss AI and its use in the classroom at the Principals’ Forum. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Noting the technology had been quickly adopted in classrooms over the past 12 months with the popularisation of ChatGPT, Choi reminded the audience of the dangers such tools carried if proper integration and ethics were not prioritised.