From classrooms to career: How AI is influencing teen education

By Ajah Hawley-Alexander

While it may seem like artificial intelligence technologies have suddenly and dramatically entered the educational landscape, their development has been years in the making. Now, as its impact rapidly accelerates and becomes increasingly accessible, schools are grappling with whether to integrate or ban these tools, even as a significant portion of students have already amalgamated them into their learning process.

AI and Education

AI tools have sparked debate among students. Many teens see them as a form of cheating, with considerable reservations about their use in completing coursework. However, a growing number of college students recognize AI’s potential, with just over one-tenth reporting that it has significantly affected their career plans, and one-third acknowledging some influence on their career trajectories. This division is particularly evident among the class of 2027, where two-thirds say AI has affected their career plans (Adage, 2024).

This juxtaposition reveals a critical challenge: while AI is seen as a vital skill for the future, its current application in education is met with skepticism by many teens. This tension underscores the importance of not only introducing AI skills in educational curricula but also addressing the ethical considerations and perceptions that accompany them (International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 2024).

The teen adoption of AI

About one in five teens familiar with ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork, with usage rising to one quarter among high school juniors and seniors. As these students transition to college, this trend suggests a growing comfort with AI tools, potentially influencing how they approach their higher education and career preparation (State of Digital Publishing, 2024).

Teenage Gen Z and Gen Alpha value creativity and expression, but many believe that AI disrupts and impedes those aspects. More than 1 in 3 teens worry that AI will make human-generated content obsolete, reducing the need or desire for creativity. Today’s economy has already ravaged the creative fields, making it harder to justify investment in the arts, with students opting for more secure job types, even if it goes against their desires (McKinsey & Company, 2024). This could mean fewer teens pursuing creative careers in areas such as graphic design, writing, film, or architecture.

Implications for businesses

As these AI-savvy teens become the next generation of consumers and employees, businesses should prioritize embracing and educating itself on the complexities of this new landscape. Companies will need to balance the integration of AI tools with the demand for authenticity and creativity that these generations value.

This could mean developing marketing strategies that leverage AI’s efficiency while maintaining a human touch. By fostering environments where AI enhances rather than replaces human creativity, companies can appeal to younger generations who are both excited and apprehensive about the role of it in their future.

What’s next?

As AI continues to fix itself in both education and industry, its influence on teenagers’ career trajectories and creative aspirations needs to be prioritized. While schools and businesses alike wrangle with the implications of AI, the key to success lies in finding a balance—one that embraces technological advancements while safeguarding the human elements that Gen Z and Gen Alpha hold near and dear.

Key Takeaways for Businesses:

1. Integrate AI responsibly: Ensure that AI is used to enhance, not replace, human creativity. Consider how AI tools can complement creativity.
2. Stay ahead of trends: Keep an eye on how younger generations are using AI and anticipate their future needs.
3. Foster ethical AI practices: Address the ethical concerns surrounding AI usage, particularly in areas like privacy and content creation.
4. Support creative fields: Invest in initiatives that encourage creativity and innovation, even in an AI-driven world.
5. Collaborate with educators: Partner with educational institutions to ensure that students are gaining the AI skills they need to succeed in the workforce. This can also position your brand as a forward-thinking leader in the industry.

By taking these steps, businesses can better prepare for a future where AI complements, not compromises, the creativity and innovation that drive progress.

Ajah Hawley-Alexander is an experienced sports and media professional. She teaches business and digital media courses at Iona University, The College of Westchester, and Yeshiva University, where she also develops course content and curriculum. Her professional experiences include work with the NBA and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. In the fall of 2024, she will begin her doctoral studies in Higher Education Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi.