Community members and families in the Upper Adams School District were invited to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in education during a special event held yesterday at Biglerville High School. Titled “AI in Education: The Future of Learning,” the program gave attendees a clearer understanding of how AI is shaping classrooms and the future of education.
The evening featured a presentation by Millersville University’s Oliver Dreon, Ph.D., who explained what AI is and how it works. To keep the session interactive, he posed true-or-false questions and invited audience members to respond by raising their hands. Participants learned about AI’s capabilities and limitations, as well as its benefits, risks, and ethical considerations.
Dreon noted that many people already use AI daily through platforms like Netflix and Instagram, which analyze user behavior to recommend content. He said the release of ChatGPT in fall 2022 marked a major shift, describing it as a widely accessible, consumer-facing tool capable of generating content. He explained that ChatGPT is a form of generative AI trained on vast amounts of data and built on a transformer model that processes sequences such as language. He also referenced other tools, including Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini.
Dreon said Millersville University allows students to use the AI program Perplexity, because it cites its sources.
The presentation also addressed the rise of “AI companions,” or chatbots designed for conversational interaction. Dreon said that more than half of teenagers use these tools, often engaging with them on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. He cautioned that such bots can be overly agreeable, which may lead to unhealthy interactions or potential risks.
Dreon demonstrated how AI-generated outputs can reflect bias or produce inaccuracies. In one example, an AI-generated image of a 57-year-old professor defaulted to a white male despite no such details being provided. He also showed how AI-generated educational materials, such as grading rubrics, can contain errors.
Dreon urged attendees not to enter sensitive personal information into AI tools, including student data, Social Security numbers, or IEP-related details. He also discussed environmental concerns, noting reports that generating a short AI-written email can require significant water usage to cool data-processing systems.
“We don’t know the long-term environmental and health impacts of AI yet,” Dreon said, adding that while AI can reduce cognitive load, it may also limit critical thinking and creativity if overused. At the same time, he highlighted positive applications, including advancements in medicine, agriculture, and communication. He also mentioned tools used in education, such as Magic School, Diffit, and Goblin, which can support differentiated learning and task management.
Following a question-and-answer session, UASD Superintendent Todd Dishong offered closing remarks. He said the district is committed to balancing technological innovation with rigorous academic standards and preparing students for the workforce. He noted that Upper Adams has formed an AI team that includes students, teachers, and the disrict’s Director of Technology. The district plans to develop an AI policy, with professional development sessions led by Assistant Superintendent Mr. Albin over the summer and a soft launch of the policy in the fall.
The program underscored the district’s commitment to keeping students, families, and the broader community informed about emerging technologies that are likely to shape education in the years ahead.
Just to clarify. Millersville doesn’t officially allow any AI platform. Perplexity is widely used by students because of its accuracy and that it cites its sources.