3 ways AI can transform education  

Efforts to harness AI in education are rapidly gaining ground worldwide. This fast-paced development is marked by academic and policy discussions that actively explore the potential impact AI holds in reshaping the educational landscape. Read on to discover three ways this transformative technology is capable of revolutionizing the learning experience. 

The AI solution to student questions 

In both online and traditional in-person educational settings, students’ progression is often hindered by unanswered questions. Whether due to the time constraints of in-person classes, a reluctance to vocalize doubts, or the rigid format of online pre-recorded lectures, the outcome is the same: diminished student enthusiasm and knowledge gaps.  

One illustration of this challenge could be seen in Professor Ashok Goel’s Knowledge-Based Artificial Intelligence module at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Each semester, the module’s 300 students would post around 10,000 messages in its online forum, a volume far beyond the capacity of Goel and his eight teaching assistants to manage effectively.  

In response, Goel and his graduate students created Jill, a virtual teaching assistant built on IBM’s Watson platform. Jill adeptly managed to address thousands of routine student inquiries in the online forum. The efficiency of the virtual teaching assistant freed up the human teaching assistants to respond to the more intricate and complex questions. 

The continuous and reliable presence of a responsive virtual assistant like Jill can profoundly impact the educational experience by ensuring questions are met with immediate and insightful answers, fostering a more supportive and effective learning environment. This integration allows both students and educators to thrive, instilling knowledge and confidence in learners while empowering educators to channel their expertise where it’s most needed.  

Keeping education in pace with industry progress 

In an era where industries are perpetually evolving and pushing boundaries at an unprecedented rate, students sometimes find themselves trained in concepts or theories that become outdated or irrelevant by the time they graduate. 

Being able to guarantee that students have access to the most up-to-date information for their studies would therefore be a gamechanger. Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, sees the potential of AI in empowering educators to remain updated in their field’s latest advancements.  

Imagine a physics teacher getting instantaneous updates on quantum mechanics breakthroughs or harnessing AI to augment their curriculum. This real-time information influx could have a significant impact on students’ educational journeys.  

Students would thus be better prepared to navigate and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields in the future. This could pave the way for a future workforce that is not just informed but also adaptable and forward-thinking. 

Beyond one-size-fits-all learning

Educators have long aspired to tailor learning to individual student needs yet have been constrained by the logistics of managing large classrooms, diverse learning paces, and limited resources.  

AI is well-positioned to surmount these traditional barriers by providing an unprecedented level of personalized learning. Intelligent tutoring systems and digital platforms powered by AI can meticulously analyze data on students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This allows for the creation of a finely tuned educational path for each student.  

This customization not only engages students more effectively but also swiftly identifies and addresses knowledge gaps and can ensure students are presented with suitably challenging material. 

Numerous organizations are now harnessing the power of AI to refine and individualize learning paths on digital platforms. A notable example is McGraw Hill’s recent enhancement of its ALEKS math and chemistry program through the integration of deep learning neural networks. This significant upgrade has culminated in a 20% reduction in assessment time and a 9% increase in mastery of course material.  

The importance of these advancements lies in their impact: they ensure an augmented learning experience where students more effectively absorb and retain essential knowledge, thereby enhancing their academic trajectories. This innovation also plays a crucial role in keeping students engaged and invested in their learning, further solidifying their educational success. 

Ensuring responsible AI use in education 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is actively collaborating with countries across the globe to craft strategies, plans, and regulations to ensure the safe and beneficial use of AI in education. UNESCO is urging the prioritization of inclusion, equity, quality, and safety as nations increasingly adopt AI educational tools. 

Amidst this global endeavor, the Russell Group in the UK has introduced a set of principles to strengthen AI literacy among students and staff within its 24 universities. This initiative, unveiled in July 2023, aims to guide institutions in the ethical and responsible deployment of state-of-the-art AI technology and tools like ChatGPT. Its principles address areas such as the promotion of AI literacy, the integration of ethical AI use in teaching and assessment and upholding academic rigor and integrity. 

Dr. Tim Bradshaw, CEO of the Russell Group, underlines the critical importance and immense potential of AI in education: “AI breakthroughs are already changing the way we work, and it’s crucial students get the new skills they need to build a fulfilling career. University staff also need support as they look at how AI can be used to enhance their teaching and help bring subjects to life. This is a rapidly developing field, and the risks and opportunities of these technologies are changing constantly…The transformative opportunity provided by AI is huge and our universities are determined to grasp it.” 

AI is transforming the education sector by providing innovative solutions to age-old problems,  from offering timely answers to student queries and providing real-time updates on industry progress to facilitating personalized learning journeys for students. The push for responsible AI will hopefully see the integration of this transformative technology being carried out ethically and equitably, prioritizing the well-being and development of students and educators worldwide.