When pocket calculators emerged in the 1970s, rather than being viewed as time-saving instruments to enhance and accelerate learning, the response was more hostile.

In 1972, more than 70% of teachers, mathematicians and laypeople did not want calculators used in schools.

The reason? Fear.

Fear they would be used to cheat. Fear they would circumvent basic understanding of how math is done. Fear of … well, the thing people have been afraid of for all of human history: change.

Now, the use of artificial intelligence in education is eliciting the same reactions: fear of cheating and plagiarism and shortcuts that will undermine the foundational building blocks of learning and education.

But much like the calculator was proven to be an effective learning tool, AI can and should be viewed through a lens of opportunity, not fear. Given that it is an industry projected to hit $6 billion in investment this year, rather than hope it goes away, finding a way to harness its energy seems like a more productive plan.

For example, AI can be hugely beneficial for teachers to create learning plans more efficiently and to speed up the process of grading students’ work. Through my work with TSG Advisors Education, I’ve seen first-hand how the private sector is leveraging AI technology to improve our education system.

Here a few ways how:

• Lesson planning : AI can cut down the time needed to plan out course work and instruction. And if you think this doesn’t amount to much, one study estimates that teachers currently spend 20 to 40 percent of their hours on activities that existing technology could automate.
• Grading and assessment: Sophisticated AI tools can pick out patterns in students’ writing and test answers to determine weaknesses and strengths quickly and precisely with their understanding of course material.
• Feedback: The days of letter grades and “good job” can be replaced by much more comprehensive feedback from AI.

Every new technology comes with risks, but the market is already responding. New programs offer advanced AI detection and plagiarism screening to make sure students are doing their own work.

Now is the time for educators — and policymakers — to learn about the overwhelming advantages of AI, rather than be distracted by horror stories driven by fear. Bold school districts who lead in this area can not only drive results for their teachers and students, but they can demystify AI for colleagues around the state.

Here are a few key recommendations for policy makers:

• Develop a framework for setting policy: This could be done by the creation of a task force or some other body to create guidelines for how the technology can be used and regulated.
• Invest in professional development: Teachers and educators should receive targeted training to effectively leverage AI technologies in a responsible manner.
• Safeguard stakeholder data: Establish robust guidelines and regulations to govern the use of AI in education, prioritizing the protection of student data, including ensuring families are informed and involved in decisions affecting their children’s privacy.
• Revise curriculum standards: Integrate AI education into existing curriculum standards, particularly within computer science and related disciplines.
• Ensure inclusive and accessible AI education: Ensure AI education is inclusive and accessible to all students, including those with disabilities and those from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Continuously evaluate and adapt: Establish mechanisms for the ongoing evaluation of AI technologies used in education.
• Expand funding opportunities: Recognize that the successful integration of AI in education requires significant investment. This funding should not only cover the procurement of AI tools and technologies but also support the development of AI-centric educational content and teacher training programs.

Calculators are now as much of a staple of education as books and laptops.

The same can be true in the not-so-distant future for artificial intelligence, with some planning, investment, utilization of experts and willingness to shrug off fear of change and, instead, embrace amazing innovative technology.

Sheela VanHoose leads the education policy unit at TSG Advisors, overseeing a team of subject-matter experts spanning all levels of education, from early learning to higher education.