1. AI Episode 1: Intro to Artificial Intelligence in Teaching
  2. AI Episode 2: What Does An AI Teaching Assistant Look Like?
  3. AI Episode 3: Implications for Thought Leaders and Policy Developers
  4. Introducing Simulations into Teacher Preparation Programs
  5. Assistive Technology to Support Writing
  6. Enhancing Instruction and Empowering Educators with AI Tools and Technology
  7. So, AI Ruined Your Term Paper Assignment?
  8. Step by Step Use of Chat GPT
  9. CIDDL ChatGPT: Summarizing Text
  10. CIDDL ChatGPT: Solving Multiple Choice Questions
  11. Equity, Diversity, and Access to Technology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
  12. CIDDL ChatGPT: Writing Programs
  13. CIDDL ChatGPT: Solving Word Problems
  14. Artificial Intelligence: Positives and Negatives in the Mathematics Classroom
  15. AI to Support Literacy
  16. Using the AI Bill of Rights to Guide Education’s use of AI and the European Commission’s “Ethical Guidelines for Teaching and Learning” to Guide the Future of AI in Education Part 1 of 2
  17. Using the AI Bill of Rights to Guide Education’s use of AI and the European Commission’s “Ethical Guidelines for Teaching and Learning” to Guide the Future of AI in Education Part 2 of 2
  18. Three Free & Easy Tools to Support Tiered Reading in Your Classroom
  19. The Question of Equity in the Age of ChatGPT
  20. CIDDList: 5 AIs You Need to Check Out This Summer!
  21. Mixed Reality Simulations, Personalized Learning, AI, and the Future of Education with Dr. Chris Dede
  22. Foundations for AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the US Department of Educational Technology
  23. Apple Enters the AR/VR/MR/XR Scene
  24. ChatGPT, AIs, and the IEP?
  25. There’s An AI for That: A Site Dedicated to Curating AIs
  26. UDL, Design Learning, and Personalized Learning
  27. Embracing the Future: How Teachers Can Harness AI at the Beginning of the School Year
  28. Empowering Special Education Faculty: Navigating the AI Landscape in Higher Education for 2023-2024.
  29. CIDDList: Back-to-School Checklist for Technology in Teacher Preparation Courses
  30. Cracking the Code: Students with Disabilities in the Computer Sciences 
  31. UNESCO Discusses Artificial Intelligence
  32. AI-integrated Apps for Those with Visual Impairments: Camera-Based Identifiers and Readers
  33. Publishers Respond to Generative AI
  34. K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist
  35. CIDDL Talks How AI Will Change Special Education at TED
  36. Re-designing and Aligning an Intro to Special Education Class to the UDL Framework through Technology Integration: Minimizing Threats and Distractions
Hands holding money that is fanned out.

The Question of Equity in the Age of ChatGPT

Author: Samantha Goldman; info@ciddl.org

CIDDL has been discussing all things related to ChatGPT and AI lately. In a previous blog, we explored equity, diversity, and access issues related to integrating this technology into the classroom. Challenges raised included access to devices, non-bias AI, and AI that empowers all students rather than perpetuates stereotypes and should reduce disparities between students. With recent updates to ChatGPT and the added premium features, the issues related to AI and equity are becoming very apparent.

Premium Features of ChatGPT

ChatGPT released a premium version in February 2023, which charges users $20 a month to access features such as faster answers and “premium features”, which are not readily defined. OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, claim that by offering a premium feature, they will be able to continue to offer the free version. It’s understandable that, given the $10 billion investment from Microsoft, and other companies, there is a need to generate a profit. However, it is important to consider the repercussions of creating a paywall and how that paywall will impact access. How will this issue trickle down to our K-12 schools and students and create a further equity gap in how we prepare future students for the world?

Budgets and Equity

Budget constraints are not a foreign concept to K-12 teachers who often have to turn to crowd-funding type grants such as Donors Choose in order to bring the latest and greatest tech to their classroom, let alone bring basic supplies like books to their classrooms. It took a global pandemic to increase access to one-to-one devices with middle schools and high schools across the nation reporting 90% of students have access and 84% of elementary students have. Now, districts have to budget to maintain the devices and evaluate which subscriptions are worth keeping. Will the controversial “ChatGPT” make the cut?

More importantly, how can school leaders afford to not teach students to use these technologies, as the world is becoming more reliant on AI? A Recent EdWeek blog, shared that data support that schools in more affluent areas use technology for creating, whereas in lower socio-economic areas, technology is used for independent practice and “drill and practice” based assignments. How will this model translate to the use of AI and conversational bots in the classroom? It could mean that students from lower socio-economic status schools use the technology for lower-level tasks like basic question and answer, whereas more affluent communities would use it for more critical thinking skills. That’s assuming that all students would maintain access to technology. 

Share Your Thoughts

We’re talking all about AI in our community and we’d love your voice. What are your views on how the premium features of ChatGPT will impact equity and access to the technology? Tell us in our community