AI in education: a brave new world

Artificial intelligence has been making waves in various sectors, and education is no exception. This week, we're taking a closer look at the potential of AI in shaping future classrooms.

A leap in the right direction

The UK government has announced it will host the first-ever hackathon focused on exploring AI in education at the end of the month. This signifies a recognition that there's untapped potential for AI in our learning environments, suggesting a proactive approach to understanding and leveraging this technology. It's an exciting moment for educators and technologists alike.

The idea of AI-driven learning tools complementing traditional classroom teaching has been a topic of exploration in recent years. Core to the debate is how AI will change our understanding of the traditional methods or practices of teaching:

• Complement, not replace: Most education experts and futurists agree that AI, at least in the foreseeable future, is a tool that will complement human teaching, not replace it. For example, Sir Anthony Seldon, in his book "The Fourth Education Revolution", suggests that while AI can personalise learning and provide instant feedback, the interpersonal aspect of teaching, the human connection, mentorship, and guidance, cannot be replicated by machines.

• Flipped classroom model: where students learn content online, typically at home, through digital platforms, and then come to school to engage in deep, meaningful face-to-face interactions about the content. This model leverages technology for content delivery and human teachers for mentorship, discussion, and context. Salman Khan of Khan Academy is a notable proponent of this approach.

• Learning at one's pace: AI tools, like Bard, ChatGPT, and many other ed-tech platforms, allow students to learn at their own pace. Tom Vander Ark has discussed the potential of AI to cater to each student's individual learning curve, which a traditional classroom setting may sometimes fail to address given the teacher-to-student ratio.

• AI as a tutor: Sugata Mitra talks about his "School in the Cloud" project where AI acts as a personalised tutor. Students can explore topics on their own with these tools and then discuss, debate and understand the broader context in a classroom setting

• Concerns about over-reliance on AI: Neil Selwyn in his book "Should Robots Replace Teachers?" worries about over-reliance on AI for content delivery, which could lead to reduced critical thinking abilities, reduced human interaction and an over-standardized curriculum.

Leading by example

Globally, countries have begun integrating AI into their education systems, showcasing varied and innovative approaches.

China has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its classrooms, making it an AI pioneer.

• Facial recognition systems: schools in China have introduced facial recognition cameras that scan students every 30 seconds. These cameras assess students' facial expressions and classify them into categories like "happy", "sad", "angry", or "bored", effectively gauging attentiveness during lessons. The system then provides real-time feedback to teachers about student engagement.

• Smart uniforms: some schools have adopted uniforms embedded with electronic chips to track students' locations, ensuring they attend classes and don't leave the school grounds during school hours.

• Customised learning platforms: AI-driven platforms have been deployed which offer students personalised homework tasks based on their weaknesses. For instance, if a student struggles with a particular maths concept, the system will generate questions focusing on that area to ensure they master it.

However, these implementations have raised concerns. While the technology is aimed at improving student performance and safety, it brings up issues of student privacy and the pressure of constant surveillance.

The United States has taken a slightly different approach, focusing on using AI for tailored learning experiences and administrative tasks:

• Adaptive learning platforms: companies like DreamBox offer maths education software that adapts in real-time to each student's interactions. If a student struggles, the platform modifies the content or even the teaching method to better suit the learner.

• Administrative tasks and grading: tools such as GradeScope allow teachers to grade assignments in a fraction of the time, using AI. This not only speeds up the grading process but also offers feedback to students more promptly.

• Chatbots for college students: some universities like Georgia State University in Atlanta have deployed AI-driven chatbots to answer frequently asked questions by students, guiding them on courses, campus facilities, and more, thereby enhancing the student experience.

While the US focuses on enhancing individual learning experiences and streamlining administrative processes, there's a debate on ensuring that the human touch in teaching isn't lost amidst technological advancements.

Governance is vital

While the benefits are promising, integrating AI in education isn't without challenges. From concerns about data privacy and the risk of AI-biassed decision-making, to worries about over-dependence on technology, there's much to ponder.

Mitigating these risks requires a robust framework. For example:

• transparent algorithms can reduce AI bias

• clear regulations on student data can ensure privacy

• educator training can ensure the technology complements traditional teaching methods rather than replacing them

In June, the DfE launched a call for evidence from education professionals on the risks, ethical considerations and possibilities of generative AI in education. The results are scheduled to be published next month. We’ll bring you news of that when it’s released.

The UK government’s upcoming AI hackathon in education and it’s call for evidence are important signals of the UK’s intent to proactively understand, harness and mould the future of AI in education.

The hackathon serves as a platform for educators, technologists and policymakers to collaboratively explore a future where AI amplifies the human element of education, rather than replace it.

Reflecting on the bigger picture

As we discuss the future of AI in education, the UK’s Geoff Hinton (widely recognised as the Godfather of AI) this week raised continuing concerns about the unregulated nature of AI in society, in an interview with CBS News.

Hinton is optimistic about our ability to adapt to the AI-induced changes that lie ahead, emphasising the resilience of society in the face of technological revolutions. For educators and policymakers, this reinforces the urgency to evolve our curricula. As AI starts to shoulder certain job roles, the spotlight in classrooms should shine brighter on nurturing creativity, critical thinking and emotional intelligence — skills that remain uniquely human.

However, Hinton's cautionary notes resonate deeply when we consider the integration of AI in schools. He speaks of the potential misuse of AI by those in power. In the context of education, it's imperative that AI tools are designed and deployed with an unwavering commitment to student privacy, fairness and wellbeing.

Hinton's call for prudence and potential pauses in specific AI developments is a sentiment the education sector should heed. Just as we're seeing the meteoric rise of EdTech, careful regulations must be in place to ensure AI-driven educational technologies genuinely cater to students' holistic development, rather than commercial interests alone.

Lastly, inspired by Hinton's clarity on AI's lack of "consciousness," AI literacy needs to become a staple in our schools. Our students should not only be adept at harnessing AI tools but should also deeply understand their operations, their limits and the vast chasm that separates machine processing from genuine human cognition.

And finally …

The future of education, shaped by AI, is as much in the hands of educators, parents, and students as it is in the hands of technologists and policymakers. Let's co-create a future where learning is enhanced, not overshadowed, by technology.

Until next week …..

Warren and Mark
Your curators of AI knowledge