AI will find its way into schools whether we like it or not. The danger lies in ignoring it; that’s how ‘workslop’ takes root.
‘We define workslop as AI generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.’
So begins a great piece in the Harvard Business Review which has coined a new term referring to poor AI practices which are developing: employees are producing sloppy work with AI and actually creating more work down the line for the person they pass the ‘workslop’ onto.
The article offers some clear pointers on how organisations can move on to better AI practice, summed up in the conclusion:
‘Leaders will do best to model thoughtful AI use that has purpose and intention. Set clear guardrails for your teams around norms and acceptable use. Frame AI as a collaborative tool, not a shortcut. Embody a pilot mindset, with high agency and optimism, using AI to accelerate specific outcomes with specific usage. And uphold the same standards of excellence for work done by bionic human-AI duos as by humans alone.’
These lessons are just as applicable to schools as to businesses. The key difference is that we not only need leaders to model best practice, but teachers to help students understand what this looks like. It’s vital we take active steps now to shape habits: AI can be a force for innovation and amplify what’s best in our schools, or it can drive ‘workslop’ in staff and students. Surely the choice is a no brainer?
(Link to piece in comments via post on this from David Monis-Weston)