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AI is changing the world at an unprecedented pace. The rise of generative AI, in particular, is predicted to have a profound effect on sectors like healthcare and education. This new technology has the ability to generate human-quality text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. While the potential benefits are exciting, it also raises questions about the future of work, and specifically, the future of school psychology.

This blog post is based on a consensus study report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine titled Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work. The report explores several key concepts relevant to our field:

• AI further polarizes the labor market. This means that AI will devalue certain types of expertise, typically those involving routine tasks ("mass expertise"), while increasing the demand for others ("elite expertise"), particularly those involving high-level problem-solving and decision-making. This trend has already been observed with the adoption of computers, which led to a decrease in demand for mid-level clerical and manufacturing jobs, while increasing opportunities for those with advanced degrees. AI could accelerate this trend, potentially leading to job losses for school psychologists who primarily focus on routine tasks.

• Jobs are bundles of tasks, and AI is likely to impact those tasks in different ways. Some tasks may be fully automated, while others may be augmented by AI, making workers more efficient and effective. Still other tasks may remain largely untouched by AI, at least for the foreseeable future. It's crucial to consider how AI may change the composition of school psychology work.

• Job losses due to automation may outweigh job creation from augmentation and new opportunities. This is a significant concern for many fields, including school psychology. If AI can automate many of the routine tasks that school psychologists perform, it could lead to fewer job openings in the future. The sources suggest that although technological change has historically led to new job creation, recent trends indicate that job displacement may be outpacing the creation of new opportunities. This could have significant implications for school psychologists.

How might these trends play out in school psychology? It's possible that AI could automate some of the more routine tasks we perform, such as:

• Data entry and analysis: AI could be used to collect and analyze student data, such as test scores, attendance records, and behavioral observations.

• Report writing: AI could be used to generate reports based on student data, freeing up school psychologists to focus on more complex tasks.

• Screening and assessment: AI could be used to screen students for learning disabilities, mental health concerns, and other issues. This could help to identify students who need support more quickly and efficiently. AI could also perform assessments, potentially automating parts of the evaluation process that were once thought to require human expertise.

The report acknowledges that AI is likely to have the biggest impact on knowledge-based jobs, such as those in healthcare and education. This is because AI is rapidly improving in its ability to perform non-routine cognitive tasks, such as those involving language, reasoning, and problem-solving. AI can also provide counseling services, offering automated support for mental health concerns, which may augment or even replace some forms of direct counseling. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it could potentially perform tasks that were once thought to require human expertise, such as diagnosing learning disabilities or developing individualized education programs.

While AI could lead to greater efficiency in certain tasks, it's important to remember that school psychology is a deeply human profession. We work with children and families who are facing complex challenges. Our work requires empathy, compassion, and the ability to build relationships. These are all qualities that AI cannot replicate.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge that AI is here to stay. It’s not a question of whether AI will impact our field, but how. As a profession, we need to be proactive in thinking about how to adapt to this changing landscape. We need to focus on the skills and knowledge that AI cannot replicate. We need to become experts in the ethical and responsible use of AI in education.

Don't fret— In my next blog, I’ll discuss some specific ways that school psychologists can stay relevant in the age of AI and avoid being replaced. Stay tuned!

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