AI in Education
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is the new black in education. This technology has the potential to fundamentally change the way people teach and learn and optimize the learning process.
Today, for students, it’s like cookies and milk – one in three uses generative AI like ChatGPT to do their homework. More than a third of teachers rely on chatbots to help students, and more than half actively use engaging AI-powered games.
The ever-increasing user interest correlates with dynamic market growth: it is estimated that by 2030 the total value will be more than USD 55,444 million.
Let’s take an in-depth look at what AI capabilities make up these numbers and what opportunities and risks arise from the new technologies in education.
First, what’s AI in education?
AI in education involves machines that learn and make decisions based on data, enhancing personalized learning and administrative efficiency.
What is its logic? It goes beyond normal processing by connecting data points to make general assumptions, not just repeating learned information. Instead, it represents the actual thinking power that enables machine learning and, more advancedly, deep learning through artificial neural networks.
If you’re quite new to AI in education, check out three major application areas where AI can automate tasks and learn why they’re widely used. Or skip to the next section.
For teachers:
- Automatically grade assignments and exams, providing instant feedback to students;
- Generate and customize lesson plans based on curriculum standards and student needs;
- Track and analyze student performance to identify areas needing additional support.
For students:
- Create customized learning experiences based on individual strengths and weaknesses;
- Provide AI-driven tutoring and homework help, offering explanations and practice problems;
- Suggest study schedules and remind students of deadlines and upcoming assignments.
For businesses:
- Suggest personalized courses to learners based on their preferences and learning history;
- Analyze user behavior to target marketing campaigns more effectively;
- Streamline the enrollment process by automating application sorting and responses.
To learn more about what AI can do in eLearning and how it works, check out this in-depth article.
AI technologies in education: practical application
AI technologies relevant to schools can be grouped into seven categories. Some systems teachers can easily use on their own for lesson planning, while others need to be integrated into the school’s system first.
All technology groups can significantly benefit your work, supporting both teaching and learning. For example, generative AI can simultaneously relieve the burden on teachers and increase accessibility for students by incorporating innovative didactic approaches and formats.
In a dedicated material, we talk about what generative AI is, what types of content there are, and how it applies to education. See what it is capable of!
AI gamification tools
Teachers have long valued play-based learning, and educational computer games have been used in schools since The Oregon Trail was released in 1974.
Today, AI-powered educational games enhance this by creating personalized learning experiences via multiple techniques and applications.
By the way, the examples listed above are just a tip on an iceberg. Check out more in this article to learn how AI-powered gamification transforms eLearning.
AI-enhanced virtual classrooms
Virtual reality (VR) and AI work together to provide a more realistic learning experience. VR environments can immerse students in an incredibly immersive learning environment, for example, by generating exciting situations to train problem-solving and collaboration with other students.
Combining VR and AI can also help tailor the learning environment to individual student needs. AI systems can track students’ learning progress and adapt VR environments to provide challenges tailored to their abilities, motivating students to reach their full potential and improve their skills.
AR/VR-Enabled Platform for an EdTech provider
Imagine taking a peek into the volcano vent or the center of a tornado during a lesson – how exciting does that sound? That’s what the platform developed by our team can do!
Personalized learning paths with AI-driven analytics
“The great opportunity that AI offers is the tailored support for each person,” says Johannes Schleiss, a doctoral student in the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
Most educational content creators don’t have a full picture of student engagement. Without AI, publishers rely on very basic tools: they can check grades or ask students if they’ve enjoyed the course.
AI takes this to the next level.
Personalizing the learning experience is on the radar, and for good reason. For example, with profound analytics, EdTech companies understand exactly which parts of the course to improve as they see when the students pause or skip videos.
Teachers can shift some of the workload to the co-pilot. Given how diverse students’ abilities and goals can be, AI helps teachers care more about each student.
It can personalize courses, too. AI can provide additional challenges for top students, or explain topics in more detail to the low performers. (interlinking with a cluster article)
AI in handling administrative tasks
Let’s admit that: computers handle statistics much better than humans.
In any complex system, AI outperforms humans in identifying hidden patterns. Those non-obvious correlations can be used to simplify multiple operational tasks, such as:
AI for teacher support & professional development
By using AI-driven technologies, teachers receive significant support in their everyday tasks. These technologies expand the teachers’ “toolbox” by offering new possibilities for designing and adapting lessons.
When asked if they have used AI to speed up routine tasks, 60% of Forbes Advisor’s respondents said yes. For teachers, this is a significant indicator – and a time-saver, no less.
Teachers experience in using AI (source)
The use of AI in schools is sometimes hotly debated in the public debate. Decision-makers such as school management and school authorities may struggle to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. (interlinking with a cluster article)
The pros & cons of AI in education
As with any other innovative technology, AI can bring both benefits and challenges.
Pros
Greater learning success
AI can provide valuable insights into students’ learning progress. This helps teachers respond more specifically to individual needs and design individually tailored learning opportunities.
Considerable time savings
AI can take over certain recurring tasks or, for example, help generate ideas for new teaching concepts. This saves teachers time for other responsibilities.
Combating teacher shortages
If teachers can make their task management more efficient by using AI tools, school management can also use their limited human resources more effectively and thus alleviate the teacher shortage to some extent.
Cons
Unequal learning conditions
Students may be enticed to use AI more for homework, presentations, term papers, or other assessments. However, this reduces the learning effect and creates unequal learning conditions within the class. In addition, the school may convey critical values regarding work simplification and task management.
False and disinformation
Even AI is not perfect. It can contain false information that it uses for its results but does not label it as such. There is a risk that students will take the information they get from AI tools as true and not question it.
Initial additional effort
Teachers need appropriate training on AI integration in education. In addition, the necessary technical equipment must first be procured. The school management has to invest additional time and money in this.
Teachers’ concerns about AI usage (source)
How to strike a win-win balance between the technology’s advantages and disadvantages? At Aristek, we handle each solution on a case-by-case basis, tailored to fit your needs.
Set up the use of AI in a snap
Our experts can help you bridge the gap between technology and users by providing hands-on guidance and advice.
AI-powered learning analytics
AI analyzes data flows 24/7 to provide insights into learning behaviors and outcomes. There are three levels into which learning analytics can be categorized.
Check out how they are interconnected and how teachers and learners benefit from the collected data.
Case study: how data analytics solution empowered a SaaS EdTech platform
Processed and structured, data can streamline administrative processes and allow teachers to focus on more important tasks.
AI in educational assessment
With the need for distance learning quickly becoming a necessity, the use of AI in K-12 and higher education has evolved. Paper and pencil tests are no longer the only option; adaptive tests created with multitool content generators can provide an engaging, accessible assessment that is available to students whenever they need it.
Students can take tests tailored to their ability level, while teachers gain a deeper understanding of student progress that feeds into classroom learning.
Case study: how AI has helped unburden teachers' workload
What might have taken days before, now takes minutes. Learn how an AI-powered content generator has transformed tests and quiz creation for knowledge assessment.
What is adaptive learning
Adaptive learning is an educational method that tailors the learning process to each learner’s needs, abilities, and learning styles. Since each person acquires knowledge at their own pace, this approach contributes to learning success significantly.
While the learners, their learning environments, learning speeds, and learning times were previously unknown and not considered, AI-driven adaptation enables the e-learning offering to follow the current learning situation. In addition to demographic and other static data on the learning environment, both verbal and non-verbal feedback from the learners is considered.
How does adaptive learning work? AI algorithms track various indicators which are either automatically or manually interpreted. As a result, content, methods, structures and the delivery of e-learning content can be adapted to the needs of each learner. These indicators include:
Adaptive learning offers the possibility of individual adaptation of learning paths, efficiency/time savings depending on previous knowledge, and individual feedback. Thus, it has the potential to increase learning motivation.
AI’s helping hand doesn’t know any borders. Check out how AI tools assist students with disabilities and explore practical use cases of AI implementation in special education.
How to incorporate AI into the educational process
In our experience, the dos and don’ts of implementing AI depend on case-by-case. However, in any case, adhering to a predefined strategy is key to successful technology adoption. A basic strategy’s option contains six steps.
- Conducting an AI potential analysis. Identification of fields of action in the various departments of an educational institution.
- Identification of specific use cases. Development of ideas and suggestions for particular workflows and processes.
- Use case scenarios. Calculating the approximate economic benefit of investing in an AI solution.
- Vision and goals. Defining a future vision for a company or a specific area.
- Building and empowering departments. Planning change management and transfer of the necessary know-how.
- Implementation/removal of barriers. Introduction of the AI solution in the organization.
We uncover all related details as well as what can affect the final solution cost. Also, we share a list of recommendations for the responsible use of AI in educational institutions – make sure to tick all the boxes to prevent common issues.
Is AI in education ethical?
One of the most prominent ethical concerns related to the future of AI in education concerns learner data protection and privacy. AI systems often collect extensive data about participants’ learning behavior, performance, and interests. The most rumored concerns include:
Check out our POV on this sensitive topic and what ethical standards software developers should adhere to. (interlinking with a cluster article)
AI & data privacy in education
AI systems in education rely on large amounts of student data, raising concerns about privacy and security. Safeguarding this data to prevent misuse or breaches is essential.
For AI tools that do not require registration (e.g. by providing a name or email address) and that are used by students on school premises, data protection regulations do not apply because no personal data is processed.
Data protection regulations must be followed for AI tools that require student accounts and process personal data. Even if students create accounts themselves, the school as the responsible body should ensure that the use complies with data protection regulations if the use takes place in a school context.
When selecting AI tools that require registration, the school should check the following:
We go into more detail about the legislation that regulates the use of AI in this article.
Conclusion
In response to the increasing role of AI in education, organizations like the U.S. Department of Education and UNESCO advocate for a transparent, human-centered approach that prioritizes educators’ roles and promotes equity.
AI companies are responding to these concerns, as seen with OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT Edu in May 2024, designed specifically for higher education with enhanced privacy and tailored educational tools. Despite the challenges AI introduces, most teachers surveyed maintain a positive outlook on its potential. Through personalized learning paths, efficient knowledge transfer, and intelligent feedback, the possibilities of AI in education are limitless.
However, the potential of AI must be harnessed without ignoring the ethical issues and data protection concerns. Aristek’s experts, backed by our extensive experience in technology implementation, are here to assist you – reach out to us for a consultation.
