Artificial Intelligence in Education: Reimagining Teaching and Learning

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve across industries, its effectiveness in transforming operations and techniques has remained a matter of discussion. Whether it is finance or healthcare, artificial intelligence in news continues to draw the attention of sectors for its exceptional ability to solve problems, learn from data, simulate human learning, facilitate creativity, drive innovation, autonomy, and empower decision-making. Similar to almost all existing sectors, AI has been making its mark on the education sector as well. With its potential to address some of the biggest challenges in the domain, this technology is extensively reshaping learning and teaching practices.

People’s rising interest in AI has paved the way for the technology to penetrate the education sector, making it an inevitable part of transforming education in many countries of the world. However, as pointed out by UNESCO, the rapid advancements in technology have brought multiple risks and challenges, which have surpassed regulatory frameworks and policy debates. In response to that, UNESCO has committed itself to supporting Member States in leveraging the complete potential of AI to achieve the Education Agenda of 2030, while ensuring its ethical and inclusive application throughout. 

UNESCO's human-centered approach to AI aims to include this technology in addressing educational inequalities, including access to research, quality education, knowledge, freedom to explore the diversity of cultural expressions, and to narrow the technological divides between and within countries.

This article is a review of artificial intelligence in the education domain, covering its unparalleled contribution to transforming the sector and the challenges it holds for policymakers and educators to consider while devising mitigation strategies. Let us dig deeper into its application at various levels of educational practices and policies to have a better understanding of how AI impacts and transforms the education industry. 

A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence in Education

Prior to the invention of computers and other related technologies, students and educators relied on mechanical learning and instructions. However, the scenario started changing in the 1970s with the introduction of microcomputers that provided more computing power and later transitioned to electronic computers, leading to the further development of personal computers.

As the analogy of the great industrialist says, instead of making horses faster, build an automobile, which will be faster than the horse and take a person from one point to another faster. These principles underlie the rapid developments in technology over the years, particularly in the education sector.

Developments in computers and computing technologies have witnessed the use of computers across various parts of the education sector, such as in the development of computer-aided learning and instruction in classroom interactions. Later developments included the internet, networking, and software packages that enhance teaching and learning practices in educational institutions. The continued evolution of computer and information communication technologies has led to the development of artificial intelligence. This technology was then gradually permeated various departments of educational institutions, unlocking personalized learning, improved efficiency, smarter content, global learning, and improved education administration.

AI in Present Education

Applications of AI in modern-day education are far-reaching, with immense capability to bring more revolutionary changes in the future. When we think of artificial intelligence, the first thing that comes to our mind is a supercomputer with massive processing ability, including adaptive behaviors like sensor inclusions.  Such capabilities of the technology enable it to acquire human-like cognition and functional abilities, and the ability to improve human-computer interactions. Below are some of the unique applications of artificial intelligence in the education sector.

1. Cobots or Colleague Robots

With the increased adoption of AI in the education sector, its approaches are going beyond the conventional apprehension of AI as a supercomputer that embeds computer systems. For instance, AI embedded in robots is being applied in early childhood education, known as cobots (colleague robots). This embedded system helps teachers to teach children about their routine tasks, from spelling to pronunciation, by personalizing each student’s learning abilities.

2. Personalized Learning

AI is reshaping education by fostering personalized learning experiences, shifting from the conventional one-size-fits-all curriculum. AI algorithms analyze students' interactions with teachers in the classroom to craft content accordingly, helping them reinforce strengths. It also offers adaptive guidance by reconsidering challenging concepts of learners to improve learners’ learning experiences. For example, platforms like Smart Sparrow and DreamBox analyze students’ responses in real time to dynamically adapt lessons, allowing every student to master concepts at their own learning pace.

3. Automated Assessments

Traditional assessment methods are time-consuming and lack real-time feedback. However, with AI-powered automated assessment systems, we can now address these challenges. By using AI algorithms, educators can evaluate students’ performance in real time. These systems also identify knowledge gaps and deliver targeted feedback to help students improve their understanding of concepts and enhance their academic performance. For instance, application like Turnitin is used to help students in higher studies to check for plagiarism and AI in their writing assignments.  

4. Automated Administrative Tasks

Using AI, educators, staff, and administration of educational institutes can automate daily tasks like grading, scheduling, student enrollment, and report generation. This significantly reduces the work burden of administrative tasks from the shoulders of educators and staff.

Challenges of AI Integration in Education

Artificial intelligence and education, when they come together, create revolutionary changes in educational practices. However, like every other technology, its application in this sector also involves challenges of its own. Let's have a look at some of them. 

Data Privacy and Security Issues

As AI deals with a large volume of personal data, including learning habits of students, academic records, and more, it raises concerns about data privacy and security. If not kept safely, these data can become vulnerable to theft and breaches. Hence, educational institutions must have a robust data security framework and must adhere to privacy regulations.

Bias and Fairness Issues

Data biases are another challenge of using AI algorithms in education. Biased data in an AI system can result in unfair outcomes, such as unequal access to learning resources, biased grading, and others. Avoiding such issues requires careful selection of training data and continuous monitoring for fairness.

Expense and Accessibility Issues

Incorporating AI into various departments of an educational institution is expensive. Hence, institutions must make significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and training.  Ensuring accessibility to AI-powered quality education by students of all socio-economic backgrounds needs relevant policies and initiatives to promote equitable access.

Resistance of the Teacher in AI Training

Although AI is being widely adopted by teachers globally, many educators still resist its adoption due to their concerns regarding job displacement, a poor understanding of the technology, and skepticism about its effectiveness. And, without adequate knowledge about the technology, they cannot maximize the use of AI. Overcoming this resistance by taking the necessary steps can help facilitate smooth training.

Lack of Human Interaction

Overdependence on AI in education can reduce face-to-face interactions between teachers and students, which is crucial for skills development, empathy building, and critical thinking. Striking a balance between human interaction and AI can ensure a holistic educational experience.

Standing at the intersection of media and innovation, The Silicon Journal, a media house, aims to cover topics related to technology, innovation, and development in various sectors, including education.