Explainable Artificial Intelligence and Its Key Role in Education: Promoting Critical Thinking and Autonomy in the Classroom

Abstract

[Abstract] This article provides an introduction to explainable artificial intelligence and discusses its main implications for education. It addresses two basic questions: Why do users of AI systems need explanations? Can such advanced technology be trusted without them? In this text, these two questions are answered by briefly reviewing the technical foundations of AI at the root of its unreliability, and how explainable AI may offer solutions, encouraging critical use and control of these tools. In the case of education, explanations are fundamental to ensure real human autonomy in the use of AI tools for teaching and learning.