Exploring AI Bias in Education

In his book, Code Red: Left, Right, China, and the Race to Control AI, Wynton Hall, the social media director at Breitbart News, raises some pressing concerns about new AI technologies entering classrooms. He argues that these tools carry a left-wing bias, and warns that if conservatives react only with frustration, they are likely to continue losing the educational battle.

Hall reflects on the persistent issue of leftist bias in education, noting that conservative parents have struggled against influences like biased textbooks and radical curricula for years. He suggests that while these problems are longstanding, the emergence of AI makes it easier for such biases to go unnoticed by masking them under a veneer of objectivity, which complicates identifying the bias.

One striking instance of AI bias, which Hall highlighted recently, involved Google’s Gemini AI targeting prominent Republicans, including Vice President J.D. Vance, labeling their statements as “hate speech.” He points to a 2023 study in the journal Public Choice that stated ChatGPT exhibits a notable political bias against the Democratic Party. Additionally, machine learning researcher David Rozado analyzed various AI chatbots and found that most tend to reveal a left-leaning perspective. Hall noted that Google’s Gemini AI appears to be particularly biased, which is significant as these models also shape the AI tutors used in education.

In Code Red, Hall cites Khan Academy’s AI tool, Khanmigo, illustrating how even seemingly beneficial educational AI can perpetuate bias. Salman Khan describes Khanmigo’s Socratic method as more neutral than typical classrooms, yet he later expresses skepticism about global warming in a way that could spread misinformation, highlighting the importance of who defines “disinformation” in educational settings.

Hall warns that the partnerships between certain educational platforms and prestigious universities could lead to potential biases in how students’ discussions are evaluated—covering sensitive political topics like immigration and Israel-Palestine—with their interactions rated on traits like empathy and kindness. He highlights that such evaluations could influence college admissions, potentially valuing social justice over merit.

A significant concern, according to Hall, is the political leanings of partnerships, such as OpenAI’s collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which is known for its strong support of the Democratic Party.

However, Hall doesn’t advocate for the rejection of AI in education. Instead, he suggests leveraging open-source AI solutions that can be tailored to uphold specific values and beliefs in educational settings. He mentions TrekAI, an AI tutor built around a Christian framework, as an example of what conservatives could use to counteract prevailing biases.

Hall encourages conservative parents to actively engage with AI education tools, scrutinizing them just as they would with human educators. He quotes economist Thomas Sowell, warning about the risks of complacency in education and the potential for “artificial stupidity” as a product of inadequate oversight in teaching.

In Code Red, Hall delves into how AI’s influence extends beyond education to impact nations and families. He explores critical issues surrounding AI, including its role in censorship, employment, and national security.

• How to identify AI as a tool of indoctrination and resist its influence.
• Examination of how elites may use AI to further dependency.
• Strategies for the U.S. to counter China’s advancements without emulating its policies.
• Preparing future generations for the rapid changes driven by AI.
• New national security challenges posed by AI and potential defenses against them.
• Understanding the social implications of AI, including its impact on personal relationships.
• How AI may challenge faith and bring about unexpected spiritual transformations.

Hall’s work presents a clarion call for engagement in the AI arena, urging readers to acknowledge the urgent need to confront these issues or risk losing the freedoms that have historically defined America.