Cited by 142Artificial Intelligence in EducationEducational Technology in LearningAssistive Technology in Communication and Mobility

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 38 of the 38 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 9 of the 32 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Special Education Technology

Open access
Marino, Matthew T., Vasquez, Eleazar, Dieker, Lisa, Basham, James, Blackorby, Jose·2023·Journal of Special Education Technology

Abstract

This manuscript presents a preliminary discussion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a disruptive technology with the potential to significantly change special education practices. The article begins with a brief description of the development of AI. The authors recognize our assertions are subjective and require further research. Several references are not peer-reviewed because educational research takes years to conduct, analyze, and disseminate outcomes. In this manuscript, we discuss current software used for writing with students in special education and discuss similarities and differences with AI software. This discussion is followed by questions and examples related to implementation, ethical and policy considerations, and preservice special education teacher preparation. The article concludes with future considerations for how AI will impact the special education technology field.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This article is a preliminary discussion arguing that AI is a disruptive technology with potential to significantly change special education practices, especially writing, ethics, policy, and teacher preparation. The authors are excited but cautious, calling for further research, ethical safeguards, and inclusion of people with disabilities in AI development.

Key findings

  • The authors contend AI can act as a cognitive prosthesis and support students with disabilities through tools such as speech-to-text, NLP, chatbots, computer vision, and personalized learning.
  • In their writing example, ChatGPT produced a “technically accurate 1000-word essay in 36 seconds” from the same prompt used with the WeGotIT! graphic organizer.
  • Ethical concerns include bias, surveillance, autonomy, privacy, and consent; the authors argue IEP teams should discuss AI and that students, educators, and parents should understand data collection, access, and ownership.
  • Policy and future directions include calls for open-source AI policy, disclosure of data sources, risk assessment mechanisms, and a slowdown in development cycles to prioritize safety, equity, privacy, ethics, and access for people with disabilities.

Methods

  • Design: preliminary discussion/commentary, not an empirical study; the authors state their assertions are subjective and require further research.
  • Data/sample: the authors experimented with AI writing software, interviewed a convenience sample of K-12 colleagues, and posed prompts to ChatGPT, including one asking for 10 questions about AI in education and one asking for considerations for preparing future educators.
  • Analysis: no systematic analysis is reported; the article synthesizes examples, literature, ethical/policy discussion, and ChatGPT-generated text.

Limitations

  • The authors state that their assertions are subjective and require further research, and that several references are not peer-reviewed because educational research takes years to conduct, analyze, and disseminate.
  • The text makes evident that this is not an empirical study: there is no controlled sample, intervention, or outcome data, and the authors repeatedly note they have more questions than answers.
  • The K-12 colleague input came from a convenience sample, and several examples rely on ChatGPT outputs or popular-press reactions rather than systematic evidence.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/01626434231165977

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

17 Own interpretation · 11 Sources not found · 8 No full text of the sources · 6 Partly supported · 3 Supported · 1 Not checked yet · 1 Own result · accuracy not yet measured

Show all 11 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 14
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 28
36 of 36
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The historical analogies to the calculator, computer, automobile, and Internet are valid guides for anticipating AI's impact on special education.

    “Interestingly, these reactions mirror what occurred with the introduction of the calculator and the computer.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AI will continue to emerge and be adopted in K-12 special education.

    “Understanding how AI can be leveraged during the learning process is crucial as AI continues to emerge in the field of special education.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most Large Language Models such as ChatGPT are developed by resource-rich organizations and are frequently kept from the public for intellectual property protection reasons.

    “Most Large Language Models such as ChatGPT are developed by resource-rich organizations and are frequently kept from the public for intellectual property protection reasons.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The current world of AI development is filled with graduates from many of the same universities and backgrounds.

    “The current world of AI development is filled with graduates from many of the same universities and backgrounds.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most investors and companies are seeking rapid iterative development.

    “Most investors and companies are seeking rapid iterative development.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When delivering return on investment takes precedence, developers are under constant pressure to deliver 'brand new, shiny products and services' on a tight schedule coordinated with shareholder meetings.

    “When delivering return on investment takes precedence, developers are under constant pressure to deliver “brand new, shiny products and services” on a tight schedule coordinated with shareholder meetings.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Currently no incentive exists to prioritize safety, equity, privacy, and ethical concerns and access for people with disabilities, over rapid development cycles.

    “Currently no incentive exists to prioritize safety, equity, privacy, and ethical concerns and access for people with disabilities, over rapid development cycles.”
7 of 7

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Show all 34 references

Research works printed but not linked: 14

  1. Akgun S., 2021, AI and Ethics, 2, 1
  2. Ali S., 2019, International workshop on education in artificial intelligence k-12 (eduai’19), 1
  3. Asthana P., 2019, International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering, 9, 398
  4. Basham J. D., 2020, Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, 18, 71
  5. Biron B., 2023, New York City schools ban use of ChatGPT — becoming first US district to block AI technology as concern over cheating and plagiarism mounts
  6. Chan A., 2022, AI and Ethics, 3, 1
  7. ChatGPT, 2023, [Computer Software]
  8. D'Agostino S., 2023, ChatGPT advice academics can use now
  9. Greene P., 2022, No, ChatGPT is not the end of high school English. But here’s the useful tool it offers teachers
  10. Herman D., 2022, The end of high-school English
  11. Mahdawi A., 2023, Australian universities to return to “pen and paper” exams after students caught using AI to write essays
  12. National Science and Technology Council, 2022, Supplement to the President’s FY2022 Budget. Office of science and technology policy
  13. Reich R., 2022, Now AI can write students’ essays for them, will everyone become a cheat?
  14. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2022, The white House

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Metadata

Authors
Marino, M. T., Vasquez, E., Dieker, L., Basham, J., & Blackorby, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Central Florida (US)
  • University of Kansas (US)
  • Special Education, WestED, San Francisco, CA, USA
Corresponding author
Marino, Matthew T.
Venue
Journal of Special Education Technology
Published
2023-05-19
Volume
38
Issue
3
Pages
404-416
ISSN
  • 0162-6434 (ISSN-L)
  • 2381-3121
OpenAlex
W4377097363
Cited by
142
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 8
FWCI
33.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Journal of Special Education Technology (publishedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (#H327F200008)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Artificial Intelligence in Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Technology in Learning
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
Keywords
artificial intelligence, special education, assistive technology, writing software, AI writing tools, ethical considerations, education policy, initial teacher education, technology implementation

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