Generative Artificial Intelligence:

Generative Artificial Intelligence:

A Revolution in Action for Teachers

ontario teachers' federation November 27th 2025

Today's menu

What is (generative) ai?

AI: What a revolution!!!

what are some other challenges related to the use of AI?

Practical applications of Generative AI for Teachers

A few thoughts...

WARNING!

YOU COULD FEEL A BIT LIKE THIS AT ANYTIME!!

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. IBM.com

Source: Synoptek and ChatGPT

AI Glossary

NOTE : This glossary was approved (in French and translated by myself) by the Ontario Ministry of Education

What is Generative AI

Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity - Definition

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that generates new content by modelling features of data from large datasets that were fed into the model. While traditional AI systems can recognize patterns or classify existing content, generative AI can create new content in many forms, including text, image, audio, or software code. Source: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/generative-artificial-intelligence-ai-itsap00041

Some generative AI uses

AI can generate images in much the same way that ChatGPT can create text. Here are a few examples:

• Imitation of a work by Dalí (La Presse).
• Artwork generated by MidJourney wins 1st prize at the Colorado State Fair (actuia.com).
• Manipulated photo of Pope Francis (midilibre.fr).
• Donald Trump in prison (bfmtv.com).

There are several image-creation websites available to everyone.

Some generative AI uses

Drake and The Weeknd - AI generated song

AI can be trained to replicate or improve voices, create new ones.... or create artists that would have never existed!

Breaking Rust - Walk my Walk

The Beatles - Now and Then

Xania Monet - How Was I Supposed to Know?

Some generative AI uses

Video generation can be interesting...

...but also brings tis lot of challenges (Deepfakes)

REMINDER: AI tools are machines, not humans

AI: what a revolution!!!

The arrival of conversational agents, including ChatGPT, has disrupted today's society, even though AI has been around for quite some time. Why are we worried now?

• The speed at which generative AI has transformed the way we do things—almost overnight.
• This change raises ethical, economic, and social issues that are not addressed immediately, but only after the change has occurred.
• The fear that robots will replace humans is very real for many people.
• There is also a feeling of losing control. Even some of the people who contributed to creating AI have raised a red flag.

"Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable. This confidence must be well justified and increase with the magnitude of a system’s potential effects."

Quoted from : Pause Giant AI Experiments, https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/pause-giant-ai-experiments/

Source: https://www.emailvendorselection.com/chatgpt-statistics/

don't be surprised: Students are using ai!

KPMG 2024 study: Generative AI and the future of education

KPMG 2025 study: Generative AI boom among Canadian students raises dilemmas

Student poll by the CAVLFO

...it comes down to a simple choice...

What are some other challenges related to the use of AI?

Image générée par ChatGPT

Obviously, everything is not perfect. The use of AI presents significant challenges that must be taken into consideration. Here are a few others:

AI AND ACADEMIC integrity

• Detecting the use of AI remains unreliable.
• No matter the tool, there are false positives and false negatives...
• After multiple tests with different detection tools (GPTZero, ZeroGPT, Draft & Goal, Turnitin, etc.), it is still difficult to provide verifiable proof.
• We must therefore adapt in other ways and use our judgment.
• IT’S TIME TO RETHINK OUR NOTIONS OF PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING!

environmental impact of ai

environmental impact of ai

Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact (MIT News)

(Video) The growing environmental impact of AI data centers’ energy demands (PBS)

Is artificial intelligence bad for the environment? (UNBC Magazine)

Other ethical considerations

Here are a few other elements to consider when using AI tools:

• What you feed AI tools is (generally) also used to train it.
• Bias, discrimination, misinformation and hallucinations are often part of AI tools output.
• Intellectual property and copyright infringements should always be considered when using AI tools.
• There seems to be a lack of regulations and direction from governments. Where do we go as a society and as users?
• What happens to personal data? What are privacy policies and do they protect children?

Saint Mary's University

University of Alberta

Queen's University

What are the main differences between free and paid AI tools?

Generated in part by ChatGPT and Gemini

AI literacy -> AI fluency

It is time to switch from learning about AI to learning to use AI effectively. This applies to students as much as to teachers!

Generated by Gemini

AI literacy -> AI fluency

From Understanding to Creating: Bridging AI Literacy and AI Fluency in K-12 Education (Journal of Teaching and Learning)

What is AI Fluency? A Guide for 2025 Trends and Skills (DISCO)

The AI Teammate: Three Roles to Build Student AI Fluency (Faculty Focus)

Prompting 101

Why should we care about prompting correctly?

• AI tools are machines. The output is limited to the quality of the request it recieves, a bit like a car (machine) responds to the actions (request) of the driver.
• Imprecise prompts might lead to AI answers that are incomplete or contain false information and hallucinations.
• AI tools are trained with feedback from users. Low quality output that is accepted by users tells the machine it is doing a good job...
• A higher quality prompt reduces the amount of interactions between human and machine. It saves time and reduces frustrations.
• When you send a prompt, the model uses computing power to generate a response. More computing power = more electricity = more carbon emissions... and more water to cool down servers.

Prompting 101

Two resources (English) from InitIAtives CAVLFO

https://initiativescavlfo.org/

A few AI uses for teachers

Generating an image with specific elements from a story (Ditch That Textbook)

How to Differentiate Instruction with AI (Khan Academy)

How Generative AI Tools Assist With Lesson Planning (Edutopia)

Using Google Gemini Gems (Ditch That Textbook)

The Pros and Cons of AI in Special Education (Education Week)

Strategies for Effective Feedback in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence (University of Calgary)

AI and Assessment

Assessment is not an end, but a process.

• "Traditional assessments often relied on observable factors such as writing style, vocabulary, and problem-solving logic."
• "AI has made it remarkably easy for students to generate essays, reports, or even math explanations with just a few prompts. While this technology supports creativity and research, it also blurs the line between original student work and AI-assisted content."
• "Educators are therefore exploring authentic assessment strategies".

AI in K–12 Education: Authenticity, Assessment, and Parental Awareness (Think Academy)

AI and Assessment

What is authentic assessment? Authentic assessment evaluates a student's ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations, moving away from traditional methods where AI is easy to use in an "inappropriate" way. Here are a few examples: - demonstrations and presentations - role-playing and renactments - documentaries, podcasts and videos - case studies - exhibitions and fairs Assessment should be an ongoing, engaging part of learning that helps students achieve meaningful outcomes. In a context where AI tools can easily generate assignments, authentic, real-world tasks that involve performance, collaboration, and reflection are essential to ensure students produce genuine work and truly develop the intended skills.

AI and Assessment

A few readings to get you started:

Adapt Assessments to Mitigate Inappropriate or Unauthorized Use of Generative AI (Durham College)

The Power of Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI (Faculty Focus)

AI and Authentic Assessments: Preparing Students for an AI-Enabled World (University of Saskatchewan)

AI and Assessment

Assignment Strengthener GPT (from Peter Beens)

• Redesigns teacher assignments using the ADAPT Framework (Authentic, Dynamic, Active, Personalized, Transparent).
• Emphasizes process over product, making student thinking visible through light, flexible steps.
• Strengthens authenticity by rooting assignments in meaningful local context and real student experience.
• Integrates responsible AI-use guidelines in clear, student-friendly language (Allowed, Not Allowed, Transparency).
• Produces ready-to-use outputs including a rewritten student-facing assignment, teacher notes explaining the redesign, and optional enhancement ideas.

AI and Critical thinking

• Does AI enhance or dull critical thinking skills for students?
• Does using AI make students more or less motivated?
• How can we teach critical thinking skills with AI in the mix?

... and what about our critical thinking skills?

Your brain on AI (The Globe and Mail)

If you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me: ddube@cavlfo.org

Generated by ChatGPT