Can AI benefit the education sector?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is characterised by machines that possess specific aspects of human intelligence, and encompass capabilities such as perception, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, language interaction, and even creative output. Over the past decade, AI has been integrated into the education space. It is being used to streamline students’ performance data in schools. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, the Nipun Assessment Test (NAT) is leveraging AI to assess the skills of 1.6 crore students across grades 1 to 8. Artificial intelligence also enables translation from one language to another and provides students with personalized learning tools.

Over the last year or so, a subset of artificial intelligence - generative artificial intelligence - has gained traction. Generative AI uses deep learning to analyze existing data sets to create new outputs. Unlike its predecessors, generative AI also has reasoning capabilities. Popular examples of generative AI include ChatGPT, which can generate human-like responses to text prompts, and DALL-E, which can create images and illustrations based on text prompts. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence has sparked curiosity and interest. It is early, there is no clear judgment, but its potential has opened many options. This article focuses on some options and emphasizes how to use the AI ​​generation in the field of education effectively.

Generative AI in education

Generative AI can help bridge many gaps in a country like India that has vast cultural and social differences and barriers of inequality. It can be beneficial to various sets of stakeholders in the education system, be it students, teachers, or parents. Recognizing the importance of developing AI skills in children, CBSE has introduced AI as a skill module in grades 6-8. in the classroom and as a skills subject in grades 9–12. in class. Additionally, there are several organizations that are creating virtual assistants for students, teachers, and parents to help them learn and teach better. Many such initiatives are now seen in a number of different use cases.

Parents can use virtual assistants to find activities they can do with their child to help improve their reading and comprehension skills. For example, parents can tell stories generated by artificial intelligence to their children or have their children read stories aloud. This is especially helpful for parents who are illiterate but want to be involved in their children's education. Generative AI can help teachers effectively follow prescribed instructional guidelines without spending hours on multiple reading materials. Generative AI virtual assistants can refer to carefully crafted documents and expert insights and suggest methods that can work in the classroom, helping teachers plan unique and engaging classroom lessons. This technology can be tailored to a child's unique needs, so with the help of a caring adult (teacher, parent, or community member), it can be very helpful in early childhood education because every child learns at a different rate and method. It is useful for developing basic literacy and numeracy skills and teaching basic language skills.

So far, generative artificial intelligence has provoked a range of reactions - either hailed as the greatest technological breakthrough of the century or met with sharp criticism. However, wider application needs to recognize its potential benefits while acknowledging the challenges it poses. Generative AI can only help overcome education challenges in India if it has an ecosystem that innovates and supports its growth, participates in its evaluation, and takes responsibility for its failures. This ecosystem should include community members; social, private and public sector organizations; experts; thought leaders; and funders, and requires active participation from each of these stakeholders.