n the latest edition of the TeachNet Podcast, Dr. Michael Hallissy is joined by Victoria Hedlund, founder of GenEd Labs, former physics teacher and educator whose work focuses on AI bias and the responsible use of AI in education.
Drawing on her background in science and teacher education, Victoria explores what bias can look like when teachers and learners use generative AI. From stereotypical images and gendered career advice to assumptions based on names, she highlights why AI-generated content should not simply be taken at face value.
The discussion considers how teachers can recognise and challenge these biases, particularly as AI becomes increasingly used to generate classroom resources and support learning. Victoria maintains that generative AI is better understood as an experimental machine rather than an ‘Answer giverer’, with teachers and learners needing to question its outputs and consider whose voices or perspectives may be missing.
Victoria also talks about AI tutors, personalised learning and the importance of maintaining teacher and learner choice and agency. Rather than seeing AI literacy as something separate, she argues that it should form part of subject learning and wider critical literacy.
Finally, Victoria and Michael discuss why teachers should develop their own AI position statement, reflecting on the values, beliefs and pedagogical approaches that shape how they use Generative AI tools.
In conclusion, being aware of AI bias is part of being digitally literate. Rather than completely avoiding the use of AI tools, it’s about questioning their outputs, recognising their assumptions and making informed choices about when and how to use them.
Notable takeaways
- Generative AI can reproduce existing biases and assumptions.
- Names, gender and other seemingly small details can influence AI outputs.
- AI should be treated as an experimental machine rather than an ‘answer giver’.
- AI literacy should be embedded across the curriculum.
- Personalised learning should preserve teacher and learner choice and agency.
- Teachers should question AI outputs rather than simply accepting the first response.
- Developing an AI position statement can help you clarify how and why you use AI.
Additional resources