OpenAI Announces AI Courses for Teachers
American AI company OpenAI, in collaboration with non-profit partner Common Sense Media, has launched a free training course for teachers aimed at demystifying artificial intelligence and prompt engineering. The course, announced on Wednesday, is designed to help educators understand AI technology and its practical applications in the classroom. This initiative is part of OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to emphasize the positive role of its ChatGPT chatbot in education, especially after its rapid rise since its launch in November 2022.
Generative AI, which can create human-like content, has become a significant tool in various fields. It can assist users in generating term papers, completing science homework, and even writing novels. This new course will allow teachers to explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance the learning experience by providing new ways to create educational content, facilitate classroom discussions, and engage students in innovative ways.
The launch of ChatGPT, in the middle of the school year, initially caught many educators off-guard. Teachers soon realized it could be used for cheating and plagiarism, leading to a backlash and school bans. To address these concerns, OpenAI has assembled a dedicated team focused on the responsible use of AI in education. Leah Belsky, a former Coursera executive, leads this initiative, with a goal of equipping both students and teachers with the skills needed to use AI responsibly and effectively in their educational journey.
The training course, targeted at kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, is available on Common Sense Media’s website. It is designed to show educators how to use ChatGPT for various educational purposes, such as creating lesson content and streamlining department meetings. This course marks the first offering in OpenAI’s partnership with Common Sense Media, aiming to provide educators with the tools necessary to leverage AI in a meaningful and responsible way.
