A new World Economic Forum report explores how artificial intelligence could revolutionise education systems and improve the experiences of educators and students alike. 

 

The new research outlines AI’s wide-ranging potential – from personalising learning experiences, to streamlining administrative tasks, integrating AI into educational curricula and more – and finds that a responsible application of emerging technologies could herald a new era in education worldwide.

 

The report, Shaping the Future of Learning: The Role of AI in Education 4.0, indicates how emerging technology can help educational systems meet the increased demands for digital literacy and personalised learning environments. 

 

Series of case studies

Through a series of case studies, it shows how innovative AI applications are already transforming education by improving learning outcomes, empowering educators and equipping students with the skills of the future.

 

“AI is rapidly reshaping the global education landscape,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “If deployed safely and strategically, AI can help adapt learning to the needs of each student, enabling an innovative, scalable personalised learning experience that is vital for both student engagement and the effectiveness of educators.”

 

The report analyses the varied opportunities AI introduces to the education sector, emphasising the refinement of assessment processes for more timely and holistic evaluations and insights into student progress. It also details how AI can optimise educator roles by automating and augmenting up to 20% of educator clerical tasks, reducing administrative burdens and enabling more time for teachers to focus on personalisation, improving pedagogy and supporting students’ social-emotional needs. AI’s integration into educational curricula also equips students with essential future skills and knowledge, while personalised learning content and experiences provide tailored educational pathways to meet diverse student needs.

 

Innovative examples

*UNICEF's Accessible Digital Textbooks initiative is employing AI to develop digital tools that support diverse learning needs, particularly benefiting students with disabilities by providing customisable, inclusive, educational resources

*In Brazil, the Letrus programme uses AI-driven feedback mechanisms to significantly improve literacy skills across socioeconomic statuses in hundreds of schools

*Kabakoo Academies in West Africa harness AI-enabled virtual mentors to provide personalised learning experiences and mentorship, preparing young people for self-employment in informal economies

*The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Education develops AI-powered digital textbooks tailored for diverse student proficiency levels, aiming to enhance personalised learning and reduce the reliance on private education

*The UAE Ministry of Education, co-develops an AI-powered virtual tutor to enhance personalised learning, aiming to improve academic performance and promote educational equity across diverse student populations

 

Proactive approach

AI’s potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes necessitates a proactive approach to harness these technologies while carefully addressing the challenges they pose. These include ensuring equitable access to technology, addressing concerns of data privacy and bias, and navigating the potential displacement of traditional teaching roles.

 

The report calls on policy-makers and educational leaders to integrate AI responsibly into their education systems by ensuring the protection of sensitive information through the implementation of robust data privacy and security protocols. The paper also provides a call to action for stronger collaboration between AI developers and educators to ensure that new AI tools promote better student outcomes.--TradeArabia News Service