AI as Guest, Wisdom as Teacher: Rebuilding Power Relations in Educational Technology through the Culturally Sustaining AI Framework

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring the Intersections of Artificial Intelligence and Educational Research

Abstract

This conceptual paper critiques the uncritical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marginalized educational contexts, arguing it risks a new form of epistemological colonization. By analyzing techno-solutionist discourse in Indonesian policy and promotional materials , this work exposes how AI can reinforce neocolonial power relations. To counter this, the paper proposes the "Culturally Sustaining AI Framework," which redefines the relationship by casting AI as a respectful guest and local wisdom (kearifan lokal) as the teacher. This justice-oriented approach serves as a conceptual toolkit for educators and policymakers to leverage AI not for assimilation, but for community empowerment and the fostering of authentic science identities.

Author

• Muhammad Hilal Sudarbi, University of Groningen