What's the purpose of AI education? Studying K-9 teachers’ views of educational goals

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its integration into various aspects of society necessitate inquiry into its educational goals to support students’ holistic growth. Given that AI education has not been part of contemporary teachers’ initial training, teachers are required to reflect on the educational purposes they will pursue with AI-related themes and content. This qualitative study investigated Finnish primary and early childhood education teachers’ views on the goals of AI education, utilizing Gert Biesta’s framework of educational purpose, which includes three intertwined domains: qualification, socialization, and subjectification. The study involved interviews with 13 teachers participating in AI-themed development projects. The findings revealed that the teachers prioritised educating students to understand AI as a sociotechnical phenomenon, to use AI tools effectively, and to utilise AI to enhance their learning (qualification). The teachers also aimed to prepare students to become AI-savvy workers in the future, help them adapt to the AI revolution, and foster positive attitudes towards AI (socialization). Additionally, the teachers emphasised the importance of promoting personally meaningful use of AI, encouraging students to reflect on AI in their personal lives, and empowering them to contest the authority of AI (subjectification). The findings highlight an inclination towards skill-centric education, challenging the notion of adequately addressing subjectification in (AI) education, and altogether accentuating the important question of purpose in education. The insights call for balanced approaches that incorporate all three domains of educational purpose.