Unpacking Experts’ Opinions on ChatGPT Potential Assistive Roles and Risks in Early Childhood Special Education

This study aims to investigate the potential assistive roles and risks of the use of ChatGPT in the Greek early childhood special education context. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with six early childhood education experts. Content analysis of interview data revealed four assistive ChatGPT themes: 1) ChatGPT as a pedagogical assistant for special education co-teachers, 2) ChatGPT as an inclusive education assistant for mainstream teachers, 3) ChatGPT as a personal assistant for headteachers, and 4) ChatGPT as a family engagement facilitator. ChatGPT risk themes included: 1) Teachers and parents’ hallucinations, 2) Exclusion instead of inclusion and 3) Lack of evidence -based practices and guidelines. The study offers new insights into the affordances and challenges of ChatGPT in early childhood special education and discusses the implications for education policy, teachers and parents of disabled children.