A new professor joined Harvard University and that became headlines. Why? The new joinee was an AI professor. Harvard announced that its coding class will be taught by an AI chatbot instead of a human instructor starting this September.
The university revealed that the bot will help students by spotting mistakes, responding to questions, and giving helpful criticisms. Harvard believes that providing students with round-the-clock access to software-based resources will enable them to learn more effectively at their own pace and in their preferred style. They expect to eventually achieve a teacher-student ratio that is close to 1:1. This is the main highlight of the initiative. The use of AI in education has the potential to revolutionise the learning experience, making it more accessible, personalised, and dynamic.
This shift marks a significant stride towards personalised education, raising intriguing questions about the role of AI in shaping the future of learning. With the advent of technology, AI tutors are trained to guide students towards answers, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than providing them with direct answers. The approach is believed to not only empower students to tackle challenges independently but also provides a continuous learning curve.
AI professor with human supervision
An AI professor might also have more raw research knowledge than a regular lecturer. This will aid professors to focus on fine-tuning teaching experience rather than teaching basics. “AI integration can speed up code evaluation, giving human instructors more time to improve individual student interactions, similar to an apprenticeship approach that boosts tutoring effectiveness,” said Dr Jassim Haji, President of Artificial Intelligence Group.
To fully harness the potential of AI in education, educators must adopt strategic approaches that balance technological innovation with the human touch. While there are fears that innovations such as AI could displace jobs, it’s important to understand that this technology should be viewed as an augmenting tool that complements the role of human teachers rather than replacing them. Proper teacher training is vital to ensure educators can effectively integrate AI into their teaching methods and leverage its capabilities.
One of the compelling applications of tech in education lies in data analytics. By utilising AI-generated analyses, teachers can gain deeper insights into students’ progress, identifying areas where additional support is needed. This data-driven approach enables targeted one-on-one mentoring, allowing educators to address individual challenges and provide timely interventions. Moreover, AI’s efficiency in assessing and grading assignments can free up valuable time for teachers to focus on fostering meaningful interactions with their students. With AI grading papers, the question of favouritism can be detached entirely. But there are still concerns about ethics.
Addressing AI bias
One of the key concerns of many while utilising generative AI is the reason of it being biased to a certain extent. This bias comes with the training data that was programmed into the model which resulted in the latent space being biased. AI bias is a deeply concerning issue that arises from the intersection of technology and social biases. Despite the promise of objectivity, AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate and amplify societal prejudices. This is why ethical considerations play a pivotal role in AI integration. Educational institutions must prioritise the elimination of biases within algorithms and data sets.
Addressing AI bias requires employing a variety of methods, with a crucial approach being the broadening and assurance of inclusivity in training data. By including a wide range of perspectives, AI models are less likely to learn and propagate biases. Algorithmic fairness techniques also play a crucial role. Researchers are developing algorithms that explicitly aim to mitigate bias by re-weighting data or adjusting model parameters. These techniques strive to ensure that AI systems treat all individuals and groups fairly.
Human oversight remains essential. Human reviewers can identify and rectify biased outputs, helping to fine-tune models and prevent discriminatory outcomes. In this case, it would be the professors who are overlooking the courses and fine-tuning education. However, it’s important to note that human reviewers themselves must undergo training to recognise and address biases.
Transparent practices, informed consent, and robust data privacy safeguards are imperative to maintain trust among students, parents, and stakeholders. Balancing AI’s capabilities with ethical considerations ensures that its implementation aligns with educational values and objectives.
“Data privacy and security are crucial due to the sensitive nature of student information. Institutions must establish clear protocols and encryption to safeguard data. Integrating AI in classrooms can help in building important 21st-century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. However, educational institutions must promote equal access to AI resources, embrace AI’s supportive role, and invest in training and communication strategies to foster acceptance and understanding among stakeholders,” said Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Acting Chief Researcher, AI Cross-Center Unit, TII.
Future of education
With technology aiding in personalised, interactive and fun learning experiences, the future of education is poised to be dynamic. Professors who are equipped with real-time assessment capabilities, will adapt instruction in response to individual progress.
Beyond traditional classrooms, technology holds the potential to democratise education. Virtual instructors, subject matter experts, and translation aids can bridge geographical gaps. Immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), will redefine experiential learning. Students can also learn with simulated environments and acquire practical skills with these technologies.
“The learning landscape will turn interactive, through simulated environments, gaming elements and intelligent VR/AR technology assisted by AI. Students will receive instant feedback during experiential learning and AI will enhance the engagement, effectiveness, and customisation of the curriculum,” said Haji.
Don’t be mistaken, technology will never replace human teachers, they will remain an indispensable component of the education ecosystem. This transition will be similar to how school libraries went from book-based to online, giving everyone the best of both worlds.
