This will include the implications of using different AI language and image models. Voice - With an increase in AI Literacy, students will make more informed decisions about the ethical architecture of their learning experience. I have traded my advice for your responsibility and that is seldom a good deal.' – Sir John Whitmore 'If I give you my advice and it fails, you will blame me. Ethical responsibility is kept at a distance as students engage with strained and obfuscated tools that bear no resemblance or connection to their origins. A crisis of trust arises as the first feedback response is always 'synth?'. Responsibility - Large chunks of the learning and creative process are outsourced to AI assistants in every hyper-anthropomorphised flavour. Progress is stalled, and old 'reliable' methods are resurrected. Teachers strain to control the learning environment more, pulling choice away from students. Many feel that we did not ask for AI, which is forced into our learning tools.

Many decisions about access, deployment and AI literacy across the learning ecosystem do not involve students.Ĭhoice - Everything is powered up by a layer of AI, which creates a paradox of choice for many students.

Students feel passive in response to this new technological architecture. Voice - Large Language Models and other generative AI tools are the outcomes of a world built by adults.

(From the work of Chris Harte and Summer Howarth in 'Renegotiating learning in a hybrid world.') In this context, let's agree that agency is an intricate combination of students having a say in their experience (voice), an active part in the decision-making about their learning experience (choice) and they are personally invested in the process (responsibility). So let's spend a moment to speculate on the impact of AI on learner agency. I try and balance the hype about AI with some contrarian ideas and taking up a critical position.

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