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Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Education

When we think of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are generations of us who immediately think of the movie world. Depending on your age, some will think of Johnny-5 from Short Circuit. Others will think of the Terminator. Some may even think of that kid in the 2001 movie, “AI – Artificial Intelligence”. While all these movies may have been fictitious, AI is already impacting heavily on our world. This includes the world of education.

AI and machine learning has been around us for years. Don’t believe me? Why is it that every time you go to Facebook or YouTube you mainly see videos and posts that are of interest to you? It’s no coincidence. It’s a mixture of clever coding, algorithms, and big data. Coding and algorithms around these platforms have learned what you like to digest and they’re delighted to feed you. After all, this keeps you on their sites.

Machines can also learn some of what we like and dislike

Artificial Intelligence in education works in a similar way. AI will allow for tailored education. Because of AI, machines can also learn some of what we like and dislike. It collects data from our in-app or online movement and can figure out what method of learning is best for us. It knows how quickly or slowly we digest information. This also understands which form of content that we are most likely to engage with. AI will ensure a personalised learning journey.

Traditional schooling is nowhere near as flexible or forgiving as what future AI in education will be. In traditional learning, we are given a curriculum and are expected to digest class materials at the same pace as the other 30 students in our classroom. Then, at the end of the curriculum cycle, we’re crammed into an exam hall. It’s here that we have to endure the pains of a three-hour standardised test.

We’ve been doing this for a long time. While it may be working for a large number of people, I can’t help but feel that perhaps this form of education has not been good enough for a large minority.

Filling gaps while serving students

AI in education will fill gaps. It will offer everyone the opportunity to become better educated in fields more suited to them. We know that traditional education doesn’t serve everyone, so AI in education makes traditional teaching methods seem slightly archaic. The world is catching on to this, which explains the rise of online education.

The impact of AI on education is only going to get bigger. Who knows where the future will take it. Will Artificial Intelligence eliminate the role of traditional teaching altogether? Will future generations learn through computer screens or robots? We’re not sure yet. Although one thing is for certain, the future needs coders to create programmes for amazing future tech.

Maybe you are a future AI developer. If you have a taste for it, and maybe you want to test you skill, then sign-up for our 5 Day Coding Challenge.