ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION: ENHANCING TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

. Today, the use of artificial intelligence has significantly expanded, and this technology is gradually making its way into education. Education seekers actively (and often improperly!) use natural language models of generative artificial intelligence to complete tasks, while educators are not always familiar with this technology or lack methods for its application in their professional activities. In contrast, educators in other countries, extending beyond the generation of educational content, effectively implement artificial intelligence. Systems for personalization and individualization of learning, automatic assessment of students, creation of interactive learning environments, use of virtual assistants, and more are employed. Should educators know what artificial intelligence and machine learning are, in which areas they are applied, and how they can be applied in education? The answer to this question is found in the Digital Competence Framework for citizens of Ukraine, which describes examples of artificial intelligence application in 20 out of 30 components. This helps gain a better understanding of the areas where this technology can be used, as well as the possibilities of its use by educators. We have analyzed the Standard Program for the professional development of digital competence for teachers, and we have not seen topics addressing the issues of artificial intelligence and its effective use in the educational process. However, the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine show that teachers require such training. Our analyzed data indicate the interest of teachers in the areas of artificial intelligence application, methods of its use in teaching and professional development, as well as ethical and legal aspects of its application by all participants in the educational process. This has allowed us to formulate and justify topics that complement the Standard Program for professional development and enable educators to acquire the specified competencies. The outlined topics define the advantages of such professional development for educators, directions for further research, and the development of digital competence in education.