AI in Education
The Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Learning Outcomes
According to Reach Capital, US EdTech raised more than $5.2 billion in 2022 despite significant macroeconomic headwinds. After a record breaking 2021, EdTech funding dropped last year as a result of lower valuations combined with rising inflation and interest rates. However, the use of technology in education continues to grow and we have recently witnessed one of the most exciting applications of EdTech: artificial intelligence.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is simply a computerized system that can complete tasks and respond to commands that would otherwise require the intelligence of a human. The advancement of this technology has occurred rapidly over the past 6 months, and has attracted billions of dollars from some of the largest companies in the world, including Microsoft and Google.
While AI is being put to the test with the creation of music and art, its rise in education has attracted quite a bit of attention. During the tail end of 2022, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, experienced a rapid growth in popularity. With just 1 million users in December 2022, the platform has now reached 100 million just this month. The software allows for users to input questions to which it outputs speechlike responses using the resources of the internet. It also has the ability to learn and reference past conversations, as a human would.
Just last week during an event Microsoft held from Redmond, Washington, they demonstrated how ChatGPT would be integrated into Bing’s search engine. This was following their $10 billion investment into OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, weeks before. Google was quick to act, debuting their chatbot, Bard, in a less than stellar demonstration.
While there is still progress to be made from both search giants, their involvement shows how people are captivated by the abilities of artificial intelligence. Large-cap corporations are pouring time and resources into the AI space with the hope of capitalizing on its growth potential and becoming the global leader.
The opportunity to create value from this technology is the goal of numerous startups we have encountered, and many within the education space are also capitalizing on the opportunity.
How is AI Used in EdTech?
The shift to artificial intelligence was greatly accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic as learning became remote and schools seeked efficient alternatives. AI offered convenience and simplicity while saving time for both students and teachers. One of AI’s largest benefits is the creation of a personalized learning experience. AI can analyze a student’s learning patterns, determine strengths and weaknesses, and monitor their progress. This ensures that they can work at their own pace while also being challenged. The software adapts to their learning style and they are able to receive a personalized curriculum designed to help them succeed. An example of an AI-powered personalized learning platform is Century Tech. Based in London, Century Tech is the developer of a platform that uses machine learning and real-time data analytics to create constantly adapting learning pathways. Century Tech has raised $30.04 million in funding to date, with a $45.15 million post-money valuation.
Another key benefit of AI is automated grading and assessment. According to TeacherMade, teachers spend approximately 95 minutes each day grading and providing feedback to students. Artificial intelligence can automate the grading process, saving teachers significant time and effort. This is especially useful for teachers with large classes where students rarely receive sufficient individual feedback. An example of an AI-powered automated grading platform is Cognii. Based in San Francisco, Cognii is the developer of a platform that uses natural language processing technology to automatically assess essays. Cognii has raised $1.1 million in funding to date, with a $5.83 million post-money valuation.
Chatbot or Cheatbot?
One of the main challenges of AI is the potential for dishonest use. ChatGPT has already been banned by New York and Seattle public schools for being a potential cheating tool. The chatbot has demonstrated the uncanny ability to write like an actual human, posing the opportunity for all sorts of academic fraud. The tool is also extremely versatile, having already passed an MBA exam at the prestigious Wharton School of Business. In response to cheating concerns, several companies have developed AI-detection softwares to catch potential fraud. For example, EdTech giant Turnitin recently announced their new AI writing detector that is able to successfully identify 97% of ChatGPT and GPT3 authored writing. There is no doubt that other EdTech companies will follow suit and improve their plagiarism detectors to identify AI-generated writing. It remains to be seen how OpenAI and other AI companies will navigate the increased scrutiny of their products as fraudulent use increases.
The Future of Education
Education has been transformed by technology over the past few decades. The spread of the internet took the world by storm during the 1990s and early 2000s. Information became readily accessible at our fingertips and students no longer needed to refer to encyclopedias to find the answers to their questions. The late 2000s and early 2010s were dominated by the spread of affordable and accessible technology. K-12 schools purchased millions of Chromebooks for their students and parents purchased smartphones for their children. The 2010s and early 2020s have been dominated by the shift to digital learning. Students are now able to take classes remotely, submit all assignments online, and engage with their peers on administered discussion forums. The additional element of artificial intelligence has created a new world of education that few envisioned. AI will play a key role in education moving forward, and it’s critical for educators and regulators to ensure its ethical use in order to fully reap its benefits. As the intersection of EdTech and AI continues to grow and evolve, we can look forward to a bright and exciting future for education.
Sources:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/definition/AI-Artificial-Intelligence
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