Teens say they will use artificial intelligence (AI) to do their schoolwork instead of doing it themselves.

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Big Village, a research firm conducted a new survey for Junior Achievement (JA). This survey shows that nearly half of teens (44%) are “likely” to use AI to do their schoolwork this coming school year instead of doing it themselves. It is important to note, 60 percent of teens consider this “cheating,” in the same survey.

AI remains in uncharted waters even though it can be a tool to bolster productivity. There is no doubt technology is worthwhile. However, teens’ abuse of technology may have dire consequences. When students rely on AI to do the critical thinking for them instead of studying the coursework, doing homework, and passing exams; they may not be prepared for adulthood in a global economy.

“Generative AI can be a great tool to boost productivity, but unfortunately many people, especially teens, are seeing it as a shortcut,” said Jack E. Kosakowski, President & CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “The misuse of AI to do all schoolwork not only raises ethical concerns, but this behavior could also short-change many students’ education since they may not be learning the subjects, they are using AI for. Given the growing demand for marketable skills, this could become very problematic.”

But wait. That is not all. There is more.

Additional findings of this survey show that:

• Forty eight percent of teens said they know friends or classmates who have used AI to do their schoolwork as opposed to doing it themselves. Obviously, teens have reasons for using AI for schoolwork.
• Sixty two percent said AI is merely another tool for schoolwork.
• Twenty-four percent said they do not like school or schoolwork.
• Twenty-two percent said everyone is doing it. Besides, there is no need to know this information since AI is available.
• Seventeen percent said their schoolwork will be below par without AI.
• Another eight percent stated that knowledge of the subjects are unimportant because of AI.

Although JA concentrates on financial literacy, work, career readiness; and entrepreneurship learning experiences, ethics is incorporated in many JA’s lessons including the JA Excellence Through Ethics program. Thus, JA views ethics as a vital component for success.

On a different note, Junior Achievement of East Texas is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. JA serves a 23-county area. Ms. Lynne Henderson is the president of Junior Achievement of East Texas.
Henderson is extremely passionate about Junior Achievement, (JA). She has over two decades of experience as president of Junior Achievement of East Texas, (JAET).

Ms. Henderson has lived in east Texas for 28 years. She is married to Kirk Henderson and the couple have 2 daughters. Besides presiding over JA, she is a sustainer in the Junior League of Longview.

Since Henderson wears several hats, she is in charge of JAET Advisory Board. Consequently, she organizes the Stock Market Challenge student competition plus A Night on Wall Street corporate competition in tandem. Moreover, Henderson recruits local volunteers who teach several JA lessons including Take Stock in Your Future curriculum leading to a competitive event. In this competition, each four-member team starts with a million-dollar portfolio. The teams buy and sell stocks. At the end of the trading period, the team with the largest portfolio wins.

Dove tailing the student competition is A Night on Wall Street– a corporate event structured same as the students’ contest. In addition, JAET has been hosting a corporate Bowlathon for more than 30 years. This is where a team of 6 bowls over two nights to raise money for JA programs in East Texas.

Ms. Henderson is distinctively engaged. Currently, she is the program coordinator. For this reason, she recruits and trains volunteers for each class besides working with local educators and school administrators. Her hard work brought enormous success. Hence, during the 2022-2023 school year, Junior Achievement of East Texas placed 118 community volunteers in 111 classrooms reaching over 3,000 students with almost 10,000 contact hours.

Junior Achievement K-12 programs are quintessential- mixed with print and digital materials. The following programs are mostly delivered in the east Texas region:

• JA Ourselves
• JA Our Family
• JA Our Community
• JA Our City
• JA Our Nation
• JA Our Region
• JA It’s My Future
• JA Personal Finance
• JA Take Stock in Your Future

“We are excited about the possibility of bringing a mobile Finance Park to Longview later this Fall,” said President Henderson. “Each of these programs touches on JA’s three pillars…financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.”

President Lynne Henderson, Junior Achievement of East Texas

According to Henderson, JA of East Texas serves 10 counties and is currently running programs in Texarkana, Kilgore, Gladewater, Pine Tree, Spring Hill Longview, Overton, Hallsville, Marshall, and Henderson.

The dedicated work of Junior Achievement will not be possible without volunteers and financial donors. As a result, JA welcomes new volunteers each year. Additionally, the program appreciates numerous repeat volunteers. These perennial volunteers have taught JA programs for more than 20 years.

In the same vein, JA has sundry and stalwart corporate partners. They include:

For more information on JA programs, sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer, please visit their website at easttexas.ja.org or simply call 903-297-2202.

Main Image: Lynne Henderson, president of Junior Achievement of East Texas.