Artificial Intelligence is the future of Education

We have all been fascinated by the term Artificial Intelligence. If we are aware of our surrounding and we are updated with the tech world, we have somehow heard of the term Artificial Intelligence. In fact, if we look closely in the 21st century we are surrounded by Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is the future of education and we can not deny it. We need to see Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning as our biggest asset, not our enemy. In fact, if we can predict the future correctly, we can see that Artificial Intelligence the future of education.

I guess Marvel Studios did a wonderful job by introducing “Jarvis” as Iron Man’s personal assistance, or an Artificial Intelligence who helps Iron Man become Iron Man at the first place. Even a couple of years back also, I don’t recall if the hype of Artificial Intelligence was this much. At-least I wasn’t aware much about the use of AI or how practical it could have been in real life, but I always wondered to have a personal AI assistance like “Jarvis”.

Imagine, how great it would have been if the AI was doing all the hard work and I was just relaxing. Just a simple order to the AI and it will be done, I will feel like a “King”. At-least with Artificial Intelligence, I could have challenged the ancient Emperor in terms of lifestyle. And I guess that’s would have only been possible with Artificial Intelligence, at-least for me. I don’t have the money to buy luxury like the Great Emperors.

How surrounded are we with Artificial Intelligence?

Well, if we look closely then we might find actually we are pretty much surrounded with Artificial Intelligence. In fact, right now while I am writing this article, Artificial Intelligence is helping me correct my grammar and spelling mistakes. I wonder, what would have happened in my school days if I had this tool! At-least I would have never done any silly grammar or spelling mistakes.

Not only that, from Facebook to YouTube, from self-driving cars to home automation, but Artificial Intelligence is also everywhere and they are actually making our lives super easy. In-fact maybe 50 years down the line, next generation will see us the “21st-century Flintstones”.

Anyways, our focus on this article is to see how Artificial Intelligence is paving the future of education.

“Artificial intelligence would be the ultimate version of Google. The ultimate search engine would understand everything on the web. It would understand exactly what you wanted, and it would give you the right thing. We’re nowhere near doing that now. However, we can get incrementally closer to that, and that is basically what we work on.” —Larry Page

Artificial Intelligence and the future of Education

In one field where Artificial Intelligence is making a significant impact on education and the EdTech industry. Now more and more companies are trying to introduce AI and making education fun and easy to learn.

Traditional education is indeed the fundamental block of our society but we have to adapt to the future. Students now have more opportunities and are more capable of grasping information compared to before. Previously the knowledge was more theoretical and the practical implications were less, but with AI things are changing, students are getting more practical knowledge, they can see and learn. The visual and physical touch is something that is encouraging students to think out of the box.

Artificial Intelligence in Classroom education

The traditional classroom used to be blackboard and chalks, at-least in my school life it happened to be so, but if you look into any modern school it is quite different. Gadgets like Google Chromebook, Surface Studio or Apple Tab or Macbooks are the new technology that is replacing the old blackboard and chalks.

While the debate regarding how much screen time is appropriate for children rages on among educators, psychologists, and parents, it’s another emerging technology in the form of artificial intelligence and machine learning that is beginning to alter education tools and institutions and changing what the future might look like in education. It is expected that artificial intelligence in U.S. Education will grow by 47.5% from 2017-2021 according to the Artificial Intelligence Market in the US Education Sector report. Even though most experts believe the critical presence of teachers is irreplaceable, there will be many changes to a teacher’s job and to educational best practices.

Artificial Intelligence the future of education

Teacher and AI collaboration

AI has already been applied to education primarily in some tools that help develop skills and testing systems. As AI educational solutions continue to mature, the hope is that AI can help fill needs gaps in learning and teaching and allow schools and teachers to do more than ever before. AI can drive efficiency, personalization and streamline admin tasks to allow teachers the time and freedom to provide understanding and adaptability—uniquely human capabilities where machines would struggle.

A practical example of this is AccioIbis where Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is helping teachers to track the English skills of their students in Real-Time. This is helping teachers improve their efficiency and productivity.  It is easy for a system to grade any MCQ type of questions. But with AccioIbis-Ace now it is possible to evaluate and grade comprehensive written assignments. AccioIbis-Ace is already helping teachers reduce their workload.

Differentiated and individualised learning

Every student has a different need. In any classroom where a teacher has to handle multiple students, it becomes extremely difficult to understand the individual needs of the students and then take corrective decisions. This is where AI is already helping teachers to give them the data needed to track students learning needs.

AccioIbis is pioneering this way with advanced Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing Technology.  As AI gets more sophisticated, it might be possible for a machine to read the expression that passes on a student’s face that indicates they are struggling to grasp a subject and will modify a lesson to respond to that. The idea of customizing curriculum for every student’s needs is not viable today, but it will be for AI-powered machines.

Universal access for all students

Artificial intelligence tools can help make global classrooms available to all including those who speak different languages or who might have visual or hearing impairments. Presentation Translator is a free plug-in for PowerPoint that creates subtitles in real-time for what the teacher is saying. This also opens up possibilities for students who might not be able to attend school due to illness or who require learning at a different level or on a particular subject that isn’t available in their own school. AI can help break down silos between schools and between traditional grade levels.

Artificial Intelligence in Language Proficiency Exams

Higher education is a multi-billion dollar industry. From college admission to language proficiency exams, Artificial Intelligence is playing a major role. AccioIbis is a leading example in language proficiency exams. AccioIbis makes it possible for students to grade and evaluate writing and speaking scores in SECONDS. Students don’t need to wait for hours or spend a hefty fee for evaluating their writing and speaking tasks. AccioIbis enabling students with a powerful tool to evaluate and understand their English skills and make them exam ready. AccioIbis is helping thousands of students to make their abroad education dream come true.

Artificial Intelligence in Language learning

If you see the current App Store of Google Play store, you will find really great apps that will help you learn a foreign language. A great example of this is “Duolingo.” With Artificial Intelligence and Voice processing technology now learning a foreign language is becoming very easy.

Google, Microsoft, IBM everyone is working on the voice application and all of them have great API’s available which is making it possible to other 3rd party applications to use the existing technology and cater to a certain market where language learning is need of the hour because of globalisation. Even in classrooms, learning new languages has become more accessible.

Tutoring and support outside the classroom

Ask any parent who has struggled to help their teenager with algebra, and they will be very excited about the potential of AI to support their children when they are struggling at home with homework or test preparations. Tutoring and studying programs are becoming more advanced thanks to artificial intelligence, and soon they will be more available and able to respond to a range of learning styles.

There are many more AI applications for education that are being developed including AI mentors for learners, further development of smart content and a new method of personal development for educators through virtual global conferences. Education might be a bit slower to the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, but the changes are beginning and will continue.

Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the Education Sector

Everything has its pros and cons. One of the biggest challenges I feel is the adaption of technology. I remember that there was a rumour that Facebook AI is taking over and Mark Zukerberg has to shut down the project, I don’t know how accurate the news was but I believe that power is in our hands.

With our AccioIbis product, one challenge I often find that people compare this to a human, whereas in reality it should never be compared. It can never replace a human. An AI can be an effective tool if you use it wisely.

My final thoughts

I have often found that people are afraid that Artificial Intelligence will take over the human race and people will be out of a job. As I am working in the EdTech industry teachers often see AI as their competitor. However, I believe that it’s exactly opposite. Artificial Intelligence can never replace a human. It’s more like an assistive tool for humans to make their life easier.

It will be wiser for us to educate people and make them understand the advantages of Artificial Intelligence and how people can leverage this technology in day to day activities.

In the not too distant future, you can expect that AI and machine learning will be a core part of all educational experiences. AI is starting to show its benefits and application to a wide range of educational needs, and the hope is that it will greatly improve overall learning outcomes for all.