Reimagining education in the age of AI: maximising benefits, minimising risks

September 7, 2023

Resources exploring artificial intelligence's potential to transform education through personalised and adaptive learning tools, advocating for curricula that develops students' technical, data, and human literacies to invent, create, and discover alongside AI. While cautioning that risks like bias and plagiarism require ethical policies.

3 Innovative Use Cases For AI In Higher Education (Forbes Feb 2024)

The article highlights the gap in AI adoption between students and faculty in higher education, emphasising the need for institutions to embrace AI to stay in sync with student practices and enhance administrative efficiency, equitable admissions, and personalised learning experiences. It argues for the strategic integration of AI to leverage its benefits across various facets of higher education, from streamlining operations to fostering more inclusive and customised educational journeys for students.

Caution is needed around generative AI, especially when work-based learning is involved (Wonkhe Jan 2024)

The article emphasises caution in integrating generative AI into higher education, particularly in creative and work-based learning contexts. It discusses concerns about academic integrity, intellectual property, and confidentiality, highlighting the potential risks and unknowns of using AI in environments with sensitive information. The authors advocate for a cautious approach until clearer guidelines and understanding of generative AI's impact are established

How could generative AI change early-years education? (Nesta Dec 2023)

This article explores the potential of generative AI tools in early education. It discusses three prototypes designed to assist early-years practitioners: 1) explaining complex concepts in simple terms, 2) generating personalised activity ideas, and 3) a chatbot for caregivers. The article highlights the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into early education, emphasising the need for responsible experimentation, training, and careful evaluation to ensure its positive impact on education.

Educators Experiment Positive Roles Of AI In School At First Hackathon (TechRound November 2023)

This article discusses a two-day hackathon in London focusing on the positive roles of AI in schools. This event, involving strategic collaboration between the UK's Department for Education, Faculty AI, the National Institute of Teaching, and the AI in Schools Initiative, aims to simplify teachers' administrative duties and provide personalised student feedback. Participants, including educators from prestigious institutions and secondary school students, will test AI in various scenarios, such as lesson plan creation and exam grading. The solutions developed will be shared with the Department for Education’s workload reduction task force and demonstrated to schools nationwide, aligning with the government's goal to reduce teachers' working hours. 

The UK Government Invests in AI to Make Educators’ Jobs Easier (TechRound November 2023)

The UK Government has earmarked £2 million to develop AI tools for educators in England, revolutionising lesson planning and quiz creation. Oak National Academy is leading this initiative, already impacting thousands of classrooms. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan recognise AI's potential to improve education and reduce teachers' workloads. Educators report positive outcomes like time savings and enhanced lesson support. A two-day AI hackathon, part of the government's strategy, aims to integrate AI into education responsibly. However, questions about spending transparency and AI regulation highlight the need for balance in technology integration​

How ChatGPT is transforming the postdoc experience (Nature Oct 2023)

This research reveals that one in three postdocs surveyed are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for tasks such as refining text, generating or editing code, and managing literature in their fields. This reflects a significant adoption of AI tools in academic research, indicating a shift in how postdocs approach their work. The article explores the implications of this trend, discussing both the benefits and challenges it presents. It highlights the potential for AI to enhance research productivity and creativity, while also considering the need for ethical considerations and the balance between human insight and AI assistance in academic research. The article underscores the growing influence of AI in shaping the future of academic work and research methodologies.

AI could finally solve a problem that’s long plagued education (Tigran Sloyan, Fast Company Oct 2023)

The article discusses how generative AI could solve a problem that has long plagued education: how to provide personalised learning for every student. The author argues that one-on-one tutoring is the best way to learn, but it is too costly and impractical for most educational systems. He suggests that generative AI systems could create customised and adaptive learning materials and assessments for each learner, based on their needs, preferences, and progress. He also gives some examples of how generative AI is already being used in education, such as creating questions, feedback, and explanations.

The AI conundrum is older and more “human” than we think (Jim Dickinson, Wonkhe Oct 2023)

The article by Jim Dickinson delves into the complex issue of AI’s role in higher education, particularly focusing on the use of AI tools like Chat-GPT by students. Jim argues that efforts to ban or detect the use of these tools by students are not only futile but also counterproductive. He suggests that instead of punishing students for using AI, educational institutions should focus on understanding how these tools can be used to enhance learning. The article emphasises that AI literacy should be embraced as these tools are becoming an integral part of our lives. It also highlights the need for a shift in perspective, from viewing AI as a threat to recognising it as a tool that can be harnessed for educational benefits.

Can generative artificial intelligence tools actually support learning? (James Gray, Wonkhe Oct 2023) 

The article discusses the potential of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools in supporting learning. The author, James Gray, founder and CEO of Kortext, introduces a new initiative to harness the power of genAI to support learning. The article argues that the focus on plagiarism in higher education is misplaced and that the real potential of genAI lies in its ability to transform the way we work and learn. The author suggests that genAI tools should be integrated into current systems and used in assessment design. The article also introduces a higher education specific implementation of genAI into the Kortext platform

Teaching with AI (OpenAI August 23)

This artcile provides examples of how teachers are using ChatGPT in the classroom for activities like role playing, creating quizzes and lesson plans, assisting non-native English speakers, and teaching critical thinking. It also includes sample prompts to help educators get started with ChatGPT, such as creating customised lesson plans, developing explanations and analogies, having an AI student explain concepts, and building an AI tutor.

How AI could save (not destroy) education (TED 2023)

In this TED talk, Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, discusses the potential for AI to positively transform education through personalised tutoring and teaching assistance. He demonstrates exciting new AI features that can provide customised support for students and teachers

AI in Education (Education Next August 2023)

This article explores AI's influence on learning, teaching, and education systems. It gives examples of AI's versatility in generating content like text, images, and music. However, it also raises ethical concerns around bias, plagiarism, privacy, and employment impacts that require careful handling. While AI can enhance access, quality, equity, and engagement, risks must be mitigated through responsible policies and practices. It urges educators and leaders to embrace the opportunities and prepare for the changes that AI will bring. 

Of course you can’t detect students’ use of AI. So what next? (Jim Dickinson, Wonkhe Aug 2023)

This article argues that rather than detecting AI plagiarism, educators should rethink assessments and pedagogies to develop original thinking. It proposes strategies like authentic projects, scaffolding, peer learning, and promoting academic integrity. AI is inevitable in education, but also an opportunity to transform learning if deployed ethically.

Robot-Proof Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Joseph E. Aoun, 2018)

In this book Northeastern University president, Joseph Aoun, proposes "robot-proof" education centred on humanics - developing data, technological, and human literacies. This framework builds innate strengths to foster professionals who can complement smart machines. By calibrating students with mental elasticity and a creative mindset, a humanics-based curriculum aims to equip graduates to address evolving societal needs. The future is uncertain except for constant change, so humanics' emphasis on adaptability seeks to ready students for life and work alongside AI.

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