How is Artificial AI changing the Education Sector?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the education landscape—personalizing learning experiences, streamlining operations, and equipping students with future-ready skills.
Education has welcomed the introduction of AI to improve standards, accessibility and innovation in the sector to enhance learning and teaching around the world. As with many other sectors, the use of AI in education has revolutionised the sector and continues to lead change in how education is delivered.
So, how is AI in education changing the sector and what impact may this have on the future workforce?
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: Empowering Learners and Institutions
The utilisation of AI has given the education sector a whole new identity and people have changed their perspective of education with the introduction of AI. Today, AI plays an important role within the education sector and has opened a world of opportunities for students, teachers and institutions.
Here are some of the main roles of AI in education:
Personalised Learning: Tailoring Education at Scale
The use of AI in education has allowed students to receive tailored learning programmes that cater to their individual needs.
By providing personalised learning methods through data analytics, AI enhances engagement and motivation levels for students to suit learning preferences and requirements. As well as benefitting learners, educators and administrators can also utilise the data gathered using AI to understand the progress of their students and where learners may need to improve. This will lead to educators making better-informed decisions to benefit the education of students by identifying patterns and trends in the class.
A 2022 McKinsey report found personalised learning increases retention rates by up to 20%.
Student Support & Accessibility: Always-On Assistance
Following on from personalised learning, AI in education can offer more support for students with learning differences. The personalised learning methods aim to provide students with content tailored to their needs and identify where they will need more assistance.
AI can also be utilised for support via chatbots and automated messaging services. Students can access support inside and outside of school hours with chatbots offering a personalised and interactive education for students. The use of chatbots inside the classroom can also assist in teaching large class sizes which poses many challenges.
Research from EDUCAUSE notes AI tools reduce dropout risk by 18%.
Automating Educator Tasks: More Time to Teach
Perhaps one of the most influential uses of Artificial Intelligence in education is the automation of administrative tasks. This refers to the marking and feedback process that is both time-consuming and challenging for educators worldwide.
This is a breakthrough for the education sector which can use AI to improve fairness, accuracy and efficiency within marking and assessments. By using AI in marking students’ work, teachers will have more time to teach and prepare lessons and students will receive real-time feedback to speed up the learning process.
Marking is also open to interpretation and human bias across a range of factors. Using AI eradicates these concerns, creating a fairer education system where every student is assessed on their skills and knowledge.
According to the World Economic Forum, 40% of teachers’ tasks could be automated within the next decade.
Online & Remote Learning: Breaking Geographical Barriers
The use of AI in education has led to the eradication of geographical constraints. In other words, students can access education anywhere at any time thanks to the push for online education. AI in higher education institutions has facilitated the global reach of education at degree level, providing opportunities to learners around the world to gain a high-quality education.
As well as the growth of online learning, utilising AI in education provides new ways of learning via technology such as virtual reality and simulations, creating a more interactive learning environment to engage students and push education forward.
Platforms like Coursera and edX use AI to adapt course suggestions and engagement tactics.
Global access to quality education, especially in underserved regions
Smart Content Creation: Beyond Textbooks
Another key role of Artificial Intelligence in education is the creation of new classroom content to engage students and add variation to the way topics are taught. AI can bridge the gap between the lessons and study materials for educators and help create personalised content for students, delivered in an engaging format.
A HolonIQ study found 65% of institutions now use AI in some form for content delivery
The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence AI in Education: What Needs Addressing?
It is important to note that the use of AI in education is still very new. As the education sector adapts and understands AI better, there will be limitations that need addressing. One of the main concerns is accessibility. AI provides learners with opportunities that are not available to those who can’t access the AI-powered tools and platforms. While the benefits of using AI in education are limitless, it raises the question of equality within education and the fear of a widening gap between those who have access to AI technology and those who do not for a variety of reasons including socioeconomic status and location.
Another challenge to overcome is privacy concerns and ethical considerations of using AI in education. The fear of privacy breaches and a lack of data security is a prominent limitation of using Artificial Intelligence in education that must be addressed. Bias and discrimination are also viewed as a limitation which refers to the algorithms behind the platforms that may use existing prejudices in society.
These challenges are obstacles to the rollout of AI in education and should be noted by all learners, educators, administrators and institutions looking to utilise AI in the sector.
The Future of AI in Education: What’s Next?
Despite the challenges and concerns of AI-powered learning tools, the use of AI in education is an exciting movement that continues to shape the future of education. From increasing the efficiency of feedback and assessments to a shift towards personalised learning, AI is revolutionising the education sector and addressing issues that have caused challenges in the sector for many years.
Carrying education into the future, AI will continue to assist everyone in the sector, including you! If you’re looking for an innovative university offering future-oriented programmes within business, engineering, AI and technology, check out Gisma University of Applied Sciences.
Gisma offers AI programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate degree level, providing you with the most in-demand skills to take your career further.
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