A Financial Reality Check: Economic Capital and AI Use in Education

• In Event: Teaching in the Digital Age: Technology, Environment, and Equity

Abstract

Drawing on Bourdieu’s theoretical framework, this study examines how economic capital shapes the implementation of AI technologies in education. Using a case study approach, the research focuses on four schools in Dalian, China, and analyzes interview data from 27 teachers and school leaders. The thematic analysis reveals that insufficient district-level funding and an uneven distribution of resources significantly limit access to AI tools, raising concerns about sustainability and educational equity. By conceptualizing this as a lack of economic capital that is structured into the system, this study offers a critical perspective on AI integration and highlights the need for more equitable funding strategies in educational innovation.

Author

• Keqi Li, University of Edinburgh