Impact of AI in Education: It is generally believed that technology should not overwhelm you, but rather open your eyes. This is precisely what happened throughout the pandemic. People and businesses were forced to adopt technology in all of its forms, and the education industry was no exception. Surprisingly, despite the fact that technological adaptation was on the horizon, the deployment was abrupt. Among the many newcomers was Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has demonstrated its worth in a variety of businesses and segments.
According to recent research, the worldwide AI in education market is expected to reach USD 3.68 billion by 2023. The market was worth USD 1.82 billion in 2021 and was predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.0% from 2022 to 2030.
These optimistic statistics show that AI is transforming the way students study today. This technology has emerged as a potent instrument with the potential to alter the education industry by increasing learning effectiveness, efficiency, and accessibility. The days of sitting in a classroom with stiff military concentration, paying attention to one teacher’s point of view with restricted study, and needing to browse through vast libraries are long gone.
Changing Landscapes
AI has the potential to be a game changer today. “Some people call this artificial intelligence,” says Ginni Remetty, “but the reality is that this technology will enhance us. So, rather than artificial intelligence, I believe we will augment our intelligence.”
People and students nowadays are far more interested in technology than they are in going to libraries to photocopy a few pages of a book for a school assignment. Technology is at the fingertips of Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
Despite the numerous acknowledged benefits of AI in education, such as personalised learning experiences, novel approaches to modern learning, and even important data and understanding of diverse topics. However, there is a downside to this new technology that should be considered.
The Brighter Side
Let us now look at some of the advantages, warning flags, and what lies ahead in the article ahead.
Simple learning – The concept of customised learning experiences that respond to each individual’s requirements and skills is the major benefit of AI in education. In today’s world, there is a data deluge; what AI does is analyse, sort, and offer to students AI algorithms that can assess students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This allows educators to construct personalised learning modules with adaptive content in order to increase student engagement and accomplishment.
Enhanced Learning Experience – Today’s students are not intimidated by technology; instead, they use it to create more exciting and engaging experiences. In the area of education, AI technology has the ability to provide immersive and interactive learning experiences in a safe and regulated environment. The virtual environment allows students to participate in simulations and real-life scenarios, which help them, learn and recall subjects better.
Intelligent Learning Management System (LMS) – It is now necessary to keep up with technological improvements in education in this day and age. AI combined with LMS provides a centralised, analytical method for managing all of a school’s online functions. Intelligent tutoring systems driven by AI can provide students with real-time feedback, guidance, and support. Machine learning algorithms are used in these systems to analyse student replies, uncover misconceptions, and provide personalised hints or explanations.
Enhanced Administrative Tasks: AI helps educators and administrators save time and improve productivity by simplifying administrative procedures. Automated systems can handle activities like grading assignments, generating reports, and organising schedules, freeing up teachers’ time for instruction and individual student support.
Chatbots: AI-powered chatbots can provide students with quick support by answering questions, providing information, and providing direction. Natural language processing and machine learning are used by these systems to interpret and answer to enquiries, resulting in interactive and engaging learning environments outside of the classroom.
The Dark Side
We must keep in mind that, while AI provides tremendous benefits to education, it also offers a number of problems and ethical concerns.
Job Loss – As technology advances, there will be less human contacts. One of the most serious worries concerning artificial intelligence’s engagement in education is the possible employment displacement of teachers and educators. Teachers’ critical activities, such as grading and providing feedback, can be replaced by AI-powered tools. This could have an influence on teacher demand, resulting in job losses.
Machine Bias – Using AI for administration objectives can occasionally be harmful. We must be aware that prejudiced AI systems may result in inequity and discrimination. For example, AI-driven admissions processes may favour certain student groups over others based on financial status or family history. Similarly, AI-based grading algorithms may be biased towards certain types of responses or writing styles.
Data Security – AI-powered learning systems collect a wide range of student data, including behaviour, learning progress, and personal information. Because of the huge volume of data, educational institutions are vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. If uncovered, this might jeopardise pupils’ security and privacy. Unauthorised access to AI systems can lead to major security risks that have a negative impact on students’ lives.
To summarise, AI has the ability to alter education, and by leveraging its power, we can open up new avenues for improving teaching and learning, empowering educators and preparing students for future difficulties.