Hi, my name is Dagogo Alltrade, and the following is a collaboration between my YouTube channel ColdFusion and the ABC. Many people may not be aware of this, but the current education system is a leftover relic from the Industrial Revolution. Kids were brought together in a classroom facing an instructor in order to be trained for factory work. The world has changed massively since then, but the education system isn’t really keeping up. There isn’t much room for catering to the needs of each student, and with AI systems such as chatGPT, the homework can even be done automatically. So what’s the point anymore? Could there be another way?
There are many fears around AI today, but what if we think about it a bit differently? Imagine a world where every child or young adult could get a world-class education with a custom tutor for free. This is the promise that artificial intelligence has as an adaptive living breathing textbook. But it begs a very important question: in this future, what is the value of a university degree?
In the second episode of this three-part series on AI, we’ll take a look at how AI is being implemented in classrooms in China. Some classrooms are opting to use AI in order to scan the brainwaves of students to see if they’re concentrating. The aim is to improve classroom attention and student grades. This heavy-handed approach is dystopian to many, but there are more subtle and arguably better ways of implementing AI in the classroom.
AI can enhance personalized learning by analyzing students’ learning patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, allowing educators to tailor their teaching methods to individual needs. This can result in more effective and engaging learning experiences. Adaptive learning platforms could adjust their content and pacing to optimize for student outcomes. Currently, if a student is lagging behind on a particular subject, this affects their confidence and performance in the rest of that subject. With AI, the student can have unlimited training and instruction until they master that particular area. The AI system will provide a back-and-forth conversational style tailored to the student.
These intelligent tutoring systems can provide individualized support and feedback to students, acting as virtual assistants to help them navigate complex topics and address misconceptions. For those of us that are older, we would have loved something like this to exist when we were in school. These systems can also work in tandem with human teachers, ensuring that every student receives the attention they need to succeed.
On the teacher’s end, AI can automate grading and provide real-time feedback for students. This allows teachers to focus on more value-added tasks and grading consistency. AI can also optimize resource allocation in educational institutions by analyzing data on student performance, course enrollments, and facility usage. This can lead to a more efficient and effective educational system.
But there’s also another aspect to this: the value of a university degree. According to Statista, in Australia, the share of the population with a university degree at bachelor’s level or above has increased by more than six times from 1989 to 2022. This increased supply of graduates has negatively affected the value of degrees and graduate wages. Starting out your professional life with debt and a flooded market of peers has many asking, what’s the point?
With generative AI coming on the scene, it seems like some white-collar jobs will disappear too. AI is proving to be great for business, which is a future problem for humans entering the workforce. In fact, IBM recently announced that they were replacing 7,800 jobs with AI, and more companies are following suit. The effect of AI in respective sectors is stark, with cost decreases and revenue increases.
So, is it still worth going to university? A good university education should also have a focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, which will still be crucial in a world swamped with AI. AI can give you an answer, but is it correct? Does the output align with what’s required? Moreover, critical thinking skills can be transferable across various industries and are less likely to be replaced by AI systems.
A university degree offers students exposure to diverse subjects and learning experiences. This should foster a well-rounded understanding of the world and promote lifelong learning. This broad perspective can be beneficial in a constantly changing job market where adaptability is key. Additionally, universities provide students with opportunities to build networks and establish connections with peers, faculty, and industry professionals. These interpersonal relationships can prove invaluable when navigating the job market and advancing one’s career.
Universities are battling an arms race against intelligent systems. In some ways, AI can help students and even the university be more efficient, but on the other hand, it’s a giant wake-up call for traditional education. Memorizing and information retention will have to be replaced with hands-on, interactive, and critical thinking methods of teaching.
So, although there is still a need for a lot of the skills that universities provide, it’s still useful for those considering what to study to think carefully about what aspects of their career could be replaced with AI. It’s uncomfortable but prudent. For those who are STEM-focused, universities may find it useful to include sections of the curriculum that involve neural networks and computer science aspects.
Thanks for watching, and check out the ABC if you want to see some other stuff.
