The Innovative Use of Ethical Scenarios in Values Education: Generative Artificial Intelligence and its Impact

• In Event: Sociology of Education Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 16. AI for Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This study explores the innovative use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in values education, focusing on how AI-generated ethical scenarios can support the development of law-abidingness among secondary school students. Ethical dilemmas created by AI offer new opportunities for engaging students in reflective moral reasoning, especially when learning core civic values such as diligence, responsibility, commitment, integrity, and law-abidingness.
A qualitative research design was adopted, involving in-depth individual interviews with 12 students aged 15 to 18 from two secondary schools in Hong Kong. The research examined changes in students’ understanding and acceptance of the core values before and after a series of AI-facilitated learning activities. The findings indicate that generative AI can effectively translate abstract values into relatable, real-life scenarios that resonate with students’ everyday experiences.
More importantly, the AI-generated dilemmas encouraged students to engage in structured ethical reasoning, guiding them through decision-making processes that required reflection on personal values and consequences. Compared to traditional, didactic approaches to values education, this method proved more engaging and personally meaningful, enabling greater personalization and relevance to individual learners.
The study also outlines the process of designing effective ethical scenarios using AI, including the ethical decision-making chain and the role of guided prompts in facilitating deeper reflection. It concludes by highlighting the potential of large language models (LLMs) to transform how values education is delivered, offering scalable and adaptable tools for fostering moral development and civic responsibility in young people.

Author

• Wayne W. L. Chan