eSchool News recently reported a “skyrocketing” increase in AI adoption in education. Based on the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) “2024 Educator Confidence Report,” the article purports that AI is “transforming classrooms,” with educators’ use of generative AI increasing fivefold in just one year.

According to the report, educators are increasingly confident in incorporating technology into their teaching, approaching AI with cautious optimism. Over 90% of educators express confidence in their ability to use technology to enhance instruction and improve student outcomes. Many plan to utilize AI tools to enrich classroom instruction and streamline administrative tasks, signaling a growing recognition of AI's potential to improve educational practices. However, the report’s AI Confidence Index stands at 60.7 out of 100 — a B+ grade by HHM — lauded by the report but suggesting that educators’ optimism about AI still includes a healthy dose of skepticism.

Tom’s Take: I’m skeptical about reports sponsored by companies with vested interests, such as HMH, an adaptive learning company. The eSchool News headline, while eye-catching, is misleading. The AI Confidence Index score of 60.7 out of 100 is far from a strong endorsement of AI adoption in classrooms. Moreover, the article blurs the distinction between general technology adoption and AI-specific integration. Clearly, many more teachers are comfortable with technology in general than with teaching using AI tools in particular.

On the other hand, I don’t agree Dan Meyer’s assertion that AI use in education “hasn’t budged in a year.” Meyer cites a 2023 EdWeek survey, which contrasts sharply with the May 2024 Walton report. That report found that nearly half of teachers (46%) and students (48%) now use ChatGPT weekly—representing a 27 percentage point increase for students.

This discrepancy highlights how surveys define "AI use." Teacher use of AI tools inside the classroom may have plateaued as ChatGPT becomes familiar, but teachers are blocked from using it in the classroom. Yet outside the classroom, AI adoption appears to be expanding rapidly.

Teacher interest in AI platforms designed to save time—such as AI grading tools and AI teaching assistants—remains strong and appears to be growing. These tools may not be the flashy generative AI applications discussed in headlines, but they are practical and valued by educators. Judging by web traffic, commentaries, and ongoing dialogue in education circles, teachers are increasingly leveraging AI to reduce their workload and focus on instruction. AI may not be appearing in all classrooms, but AI is clearly playing an increasingly important role in education.