ABSTRACT
Natural language generation (NLG) is a vibrant field of AI research and an area of intense economic interest. The ability of machines to understand and replicate human language is considered by many as a path to the ‘holy grail’ of artificial general intelligence (AGI). This chapter considers the role of NLG in education. It examines the case of automated essay grading as an application of NLG, to then develop a critical discussion touching upon political-economic and ethical aspects. The main claim of the chapter is that the trajectory of NLG in education is indicative of a reconstitution of educational labour in platformed contexts. Educational practice is being steered away from professional expertise and towards forms of affective moderation and ‘relationship labour’ meant to enable a smooth articulation with sociotechnical systems. This reconstitution is associated with a loss of professional agency and responsibility.
