Teachers

To understand the issue of bias within generative AI tools, in particular gender bias, teachers need to have a base understanding or knowledge of AI. This knowledgebase would include understanding that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, which generate human-like responses, are trained on vast datasets of text from the internet and other sources. These vast datasets can and do contain biases, in particular gender bias, which can further inhibit girls from undertaking studies and career pathways in the STEM disciplines.

Introduction to AI and Generative AI

Artificial Intelligence, simply known as AI, is the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI), which was popularised by the emergence of ChatGPT, is a distinct subset of AI, and which produces new and meaningful content. The content produced can take the form of text, images, program code and sound. Commonly encountered examples of generative AI include: ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, and Gemini.

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Gender Bias and Inclusivity of Gender

AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E learn from existing historical data, which may include biases and prejudices. For example, if the training datasets contain text or media that reflect the underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) than this can lead to generative AI predicting or creating content about gender roles (e.g. coding is a male field).

Resources for Teachers

Teachers can explore additional resources by accessing the link. Many of these resources can help in building teachers’ awareness of bias and inclusivity of gender through firstly, building their knowledge and skills in using AI and generative AI.
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Guidelines and Frameworks

Guidelines and frameworks serve as structured roadmaps that can help teachers implement effective teaching and learning practices. In the context of technological tools such as generative AI, guidelines and frameworks play a crucial role in ensuring that these transformative tools are used ethically and responsibly by students, emphasising concepts such as data privacy, misinformation, and unconscious bias, including gender bias.

Furthermore, these guidelines and frameworks can help teachers’ develop lesson and unit plans, define clear learning objectives, and align their pedagogical practices with school goals. By integrating generative AI into their professional practice, teachers can automate administrative tasks (e.g. search and curate teaching materials such as videos and articles, help analyse student performance data, automate grading of multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions), which allows them to focus more on teaching and nurturing crucial soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.