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use of generative AI tools such as LLMs in education

Source article: The promise and challenges of generative AI in education

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as large language models (LLMs), generate natural language and other types of content to perform a wide range of tasks. This represents a significant technological advancement that poses opportunities and challenges to educational research and practice. This commentary brings together contributions from nine experts working in the intersection of learning and technology and presents critical reflections on the opportunities, challenges, and implications rela…

By the Truvace desk1 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-0358· cite & verify
The promise and challenges of generative AI in education
"hope classroom student" by peteselfchoose is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
Trace impact readingContested
P 72The P score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the grounded problem claim with the strength of this Trace’s cited sources.

Both sides are scored from claims and sources, not community votes.

G 70The G score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the grounded gain claim with the strength of this Trace’s cited sources.

In brief

On September 2, 2024, a peer-reviewed commentary in Behaviour & Information Technology brought together nine experts to assess generative AI and large language models in education. The authors noted capabilities to enhance learning design, regulation of learning, and automated content, feedback, and assessment, while also flagging limitations, disruptions, ethical consequences, and misuses.

The assessment matters because it moves beyond hype to identify conditions for responsible use, emphasizing skeptical optimism rather than uncritical adoption. Uncertainty remains around efficacy, ecosystem-level effects, ethics, and pedagogical soundness, with the authors calling for strong continuous evidence, human-centric design, and policy and competence supports before wide deployment.

Main points

  1. Commentary synthesizes nine experts working at intersection of learning and technology.
  2. Identified opportunities include learning design, regulation of learning, automated content, feedback, and assessment.
  3. Authors express skeptical optimism and warn against hasty adoption without considering efficacy and pedagogical soundness.

The gain

Generative AI tools can enhance teaching and learning practices including learning design, regulation of learning, and automated feedback and assessment.

The problem

Generative AI in education brings limitations, potential disruptions, ethical consequences, and risks of misuse if adopted hastily without efficacy and ethics review.

The rundown

The piece is a commentary published September 2, 2024, bringing together nine experts in learning and technology to reflect on generative AI and large language models in educational research and practice.

It frames GenAI as a significant technological advancement and outlines a research agenda including roles for human experts, human-centric design, policy, and support and competence mechanisms, while urging caution against adoption without evidence of efficacy and ecosystem-level implications.

What this doesn’t fix

Authors note need for strong and continuous evidence and caution that efficacy, ecosystem implications, ethics, and pedagogical soundness remain insufficiently examined before adoption.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedBehaviour & Information Technology2024-09-02

The debate