Reference no: EM133640447

AI: Potential to Revolutionize Education or Pose a Threat

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ever more present in all aspects of our daily lives. Public perceptions and attitudes towards AI are varied and the social impacts of this technology are viewed both positively and negatively from an array of people in various fields of work, including education. The integration of artificial intelligence in education has sparked intense debates, marked by compelling arguments on both sides. Among those entering the discourse is the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), an entity committed to promoting education for sustainable development, safeguarding cultural diversity, protecting freedom of expression, and advancing scientific knowledge. Recently, UNESCO has voiced concerns about the trajectory of AI in education, emphasizing the importance of empowering teachers rather than replacing them. This paper will explore the diverse ways in which AI is influencing education and will assess whether it holds the potential to revolutionize the educational landscape or pose a threat to its foundations.

Artificial Intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, in particular computer systems (Burns). It operates by performing various tasks and assignments, utilizing machinery and online technology. Although AI and humans can execute many tasks similarly, AI's strength lies in its ability to process extensive amounts of data rapidly, surpassing human capacity in certain instances. However, it is crucial to note that while AI excels in data processing, it lacks the innate human capacity to experience and feel.

Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, a non-profit educational platform dedicated to offering free online courses and lessons to students, passionately discussed the potential of AI in his TED Talk "How AI could save (not destroy) education". Khan believes that AI has the power to ignite the most profound positive transformation in education history. He and other esteemed education experts envision a future where AI plays a pivotal role in tailoring learning experiences for each student. This personalized approach allows learners to progress at their own pace, engage with content in their preferred style, and explore subjects aligned with their individual interests.

In Khan's April 2023 TED Talk he talks about how the use of AI has the potential to provide every student with their own personal tutor and every teacher with their own teaching assistant. He believes that AI powered platforms can assess a student's strengths and weaknesses and tailor learning materials accordingly. This individualized approach can mimic the guidance of a tutor. Greg Brockman, cofounder of OpenAi believes that AI can provide instant feedback on assignments and assessments, helping students to understand their mistakes and learn from them. AI algorithms can analyze a student's progress and suggest specific learning paths based on their needs (Brockman). Both Khan and Brockman believe that tutors can be available around the clock, providing support whenever a student needs it, and they believe that this flexibility is particularly beneficial to students who may not always have access to a human tutor or teacher. In the last year, education institutions, like the New York Public School District, have taken measures to restrict access to AI tools such as ChatGPT. This decision stems from apprehensions that students might excessively rely on this technology for paper writing, potentially hindering the development of their independent writing skills (Yang). AI enthusiasts, like Khan, believe the development of artificial intelligence can be directed towards a model where it doesn't provide students with answers but instead poses questions. The aim would be to stimulate critical thinking, encouraging students to engage actively in the learning process and arrive at answers through thoughtful consideration.

In Khan's TED Talk, he engages the audience through the act of storytelling, providing a vivid depiction of the possibilities in education if each student were to have a personalized tutor. He offers insight into the potential impact on the most vulnerable students, those who might traditionally score below average or average. Khan emphasizes how AI can empower less confident students, enabling them to refine their perspectives and opinions. Khan concludes his speech emphasizing the importance of implementing sensible regulations in the development of AI. He highlights the potential for these regulations not only to enhance artificial intelligence but also to elevate human intelligence.

While both Khan and Brockman present compelling arguments in favor of the use of AI in education, there are critics who highlight its shortcomings. A counterargument to Khan's TED Talk emerges in Yejin Choi's TED Talk titled "Why AI is Incredibly Smart and Shockingly Stupid." Choi sheds light on the absurd errors made by AI and underscores the significant environmental impact of the substantial power consumption by tech companies that are developing AI. Choi conducted an experiment by inputting a question into various AI platforms, revealing inconsistent and incorrect answers. The question posed was, "Suppose I left five clothes to dry out in the sun, and it took them five hours to dry completely. How long would it take to dry 30 clothes?" While Chat GPT suggested it would take 30 hours, Choi expressing skepticism, contends that adding similar examples to further AI training may not be the optimal solution. Instead, she advocates for humans to enhance their problem-solving skills. Her perspective centers on the idea that AI often overlooks common sense and lacks an understanding of human values.

In Choi's presentation, she incorporates real-life mistakes made by AI, providing the audience with an opportunity to find humor in these errors. Furthermore, the audience can observe that they were able to solve the problem effortlessly and on their own, underscoring the pitfalls of relying on AI to address straightforward issues such as this one.

While there exist compelling arguments on both sides regarding the integration of AI in education, UNESCO believes that AI technologies should empower rather than replace teachers. They also worry that a failure to embrace AI may leave the next generation ill-prepared with the necessary values and skills for the future workforce. This apprehension appears to resonate across various perspectives entering the debate. Acknowledging the inevitability of AI's presence, educators must become proactive contributors in shaping and deciding the appropriate use of AI tools. Acting out of fear may inadvertently empower rule breakers who could accelerate AI development for less noble purposes. By actively engaging with developers and participating in decision making, educators can contribute to the establishment of reasonable regulations during the development phase.

In conclusion, educators and developers need to come together to provide perspective on AI in educating, providing a balanced and thoughtful approach. As AI continued to evolve, the collaboration between educators and developers becomes paramount in ensuring that these technologies enhance, rather than undermine the educational experience. The ongoing debate underscores the need for comprehensive and ethical consideration in the integration of AI into our educational systems. Embracing the potential of artificial intelligence opens the door to a more promising future, where human potential and ingenuity can be unleashed to create a world of opportunities and possibilities.