The AI Classroom Debate: Do the Benefits of Generative AI in Education Outweigh the Harms?

Public Forum (PF) debate is one of the most exciting formats for students who want to tackle real-world issues. Teams of two go head-to-head on a current topic, switching between speeches, refutations, crossfires, and summary speeches; all in front of a lay judge (someone who might not be an expert). Unlike more technical styles, PF is about being persuasive, clear, and grounded in real-life impacts. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned competitor, we offer a PF course to sharpen your critical thinking and public speaking skills.

Each month brings a new topic, and this month we will be going deeper into:

Resolved: The benefits of the use of generative artificial intelligence in education outweigh the harms.

With tools like ChatGPT and AI writing assistants entering classrooms, this debate explores whether generative AI is truly helping students or creating bigger problems.

If You’re on the Pro Side (Yes, the Benefits Outweigh the Harms)

Generative AI enhances education by improving access, personalization, and engagement—making learning more effective and inclusive.

AI can tailor lessons and feedback to individual learning styles

You can argue that AI tools adjust to each student’s needs. For example, they can explain a math problem step-by-step or help with learning a new language at your pace. Mention tools students already know, like Duolingo, Grammarly, or ChatGPT. That makes your point more relatable. You can say, “Imagine getting help with your homework at midnight when no teacher is around!”

AI can help students who lack extra support

Not everyone has a tutor or even a quiet place to study. AI can be like a free, always-available helper for kids who need it most. This is a great place to talk about fairness. You could say, “AI can help close the gap between students who have resources and those who don’t.”

Teachers benefit too

AI can do boring stuff like grading quizzes or writing lesson plans. That means teachers get more time to actually talk to students and support them. Make it clear that AI isn’t replacing teachers, it’s helping them do their job better. That calms fears about robots taking over the classroom.

If the Con side pushes back:

If they say “AI helps students cheat,” you can respond: “Cheating has always existed. What matters is teaching students how to use AI responsibly—and creating rules around it.”

If they say “AI is biased or inaccurate,” try saying: “Humans can be biased too. At least with AI, we can improve it over time.”

If You’re on the Con Side (No, the Harms Are Too Big)

You’ll argue that AI might sound helpful, but it brings problems we can’t ignore, like cheating, confusion, or widening the gap between schools.

AI makes it easier to cheat

Instead of writing their own essays, students can just copy and paste from an AI chatbot. That means they’re not learning anything. Ask the judge, “If students stop thinking for themselves, how will they grow?” You can even talk about how teachers already struggle to tell what’s written by a student vs. a machine.

AI isn’t always right and it can be biased

Sometimes AI gives wrong information, or even reinforces stereotypes. Students might not know what to trust. Try saying, “Would you want to learn from a tool that might make things up or treat different people unfairly?”

Not everyone can access good AI tools

Some schools have fast Wi-Fi and smart devices. Others don’t. So, while some students get ahead with AI, others fall further behind. This is your chance to flip the fairness argument. Say, “Actually, AI might make things less fair, because not all students have the same tech.”

If the Pro side argues back:

If they say “AI helps with access,” you can respond: “Only if students have internet and know how to use it. Otherwise, it doesn’t help at all.”

If they say “AI is just a tool,” try saying: “Sure, but even a tool can cause harm if we’re not careful. A hammer can build or break.”

So… Which Side Wins?

This debate isn’t just about technology. It’s about how we learn, how we grow, and what kind of future we want in the classroom. So if you’ve been thinking about joining PF debate, this topic is the perfect place to start. It’s fresh, relevant, and full of real-life connections. And remember: you don’t have to be an expert, you just have to be curious, clear, and ready to speak up.that matter.