Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Skill Development

“ChatGPT has played a pivotal role in sparking a renewed interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) since late 2022. With contributions from entities like OpenAI, Microsoft Bing chat, and others. We also have many web-based services which has opened up significant opportunities, particularly in education and skilling,” says Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).

To learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and skill development, teacher training in AI, tech-enabled learning, the use of generative AI tools, impact of AI in workforce and more, we spoke with Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).

Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Q. Considering the widespread use of AI tools in education, what are the areas poised for significant disruption in the coming years?

A. ChatGPT has played a pivotal role in sparking a renewed interest in artificial intelligence since late 2022. With contributions from entities like OpenAI, Microsoft Bing chat, and others. We also have many web-based services which has opened up significant opportunities, particularly in education and skilling.

In the Indian context, the first disruptor is the Bharat GPT, which is to function in multiple languages. While major languages like Spanish, French, English, and Arabic have seen advancements, there is now a vision for 22 major Indian languages to benefit from tools like Bashini, Anuvadini translation tools which previously it was called text to speech or voice to text tool. This shift enables content generation, transforming users from consumers to creators. The impact is substantial, as democratizing language-based data facilitates easier algorithm training, challenging the current reliance on predominantly English-language data. This democratization, driven by tools like Bharat GPT, Chat GPT, is poised to be a significant disruptor in the AI landscape.

Q. How can the recent AI skilling policy in India, with a focus on multilingualism, transform teacher education and trainer capacity building?

A. The INDIAai FutureSkills, an AI skilling initiative launched by the government of India has made significant strides in addressing the country’s curriculum needs, creating a framework for AI-centered education from 8^th standard to tertiary levels. The aim is to equip the future workforce with AI knowledge and specialization, recognizing the crucial role of human intelligence alongside AI intelligence.

While the government has put commendable efforts into scaling AI education, the focus on training trainers and teacher education is equally vital. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future society, aligning with the ambition of creating an AI-aware society. General education and early exposure to computational thinking and STEM education are essential. Recognizing this, a recent program launched at the Global Summit of Artificial Intelligence was aimed at teachers in grades 3 to 5, with plans to extend the curriculum to higher grades. The goal is to not only to introduce AI to teachers but also educate them on integrating AI into teaching practices for better education quality. This initiative, developed in collaboration with MIT and contextualized for India, aspires to make the vast number of teachers across different education levels.

Q. How will AI impact education, given the National Education Policy’s inclusive approach and the rise of tech-enabled learning?

A. AI is poised to play a pivotal role in the hands of teachers, enabling the creation of innovative curriculum, novel assessment techniques, and personalized coaching for students. While there are concerns about the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, discouraging students from utilizing such technologies at an early education level may hinder their understanding and utilization of these powerful tools.

To address this, educators need to adapt and embrace the evolving technological landscape. Some universities, like the University of Michigan and Waterloo University in Canada, have set guidelines and policies. These institutions not only provide guidelines but also engage in conversations with students about the positive and negative aspects of using AI tools in their learning journey. This approach fosters a more collaborative environment, encouraging students and teachers to creatively integrate these tools into their learning styles and techniques, rather than resorting to misuse.

In essence, allowing teachers and students to harness the potential of AI with proper guidelines ensures responsible use, avoiding issues like plagiarism or cheating. The focus should be on leveraging these tools for continuous learning, skill development, and fostering creativity.

Q. How can we raise awareness and skills in the current workforce and job seekers, emphasizing the importance of human intelligence alongside technology?

A. There should be a strong partnership between employer organizations and the state-driven skilling ecosystem, especially in country like India with existing skilling structures and policies. Recognizing the current workforce as an asset, inclusive efforts are needed, addressing both the formal and informal sectors. This entails reskilling and upskilling programs, potentially injecting new talent into fields facing workforce gaps.

Given India’s substantial annual workforce influx, the majority entering the informal sector, there’s a need for large-scale educational programs in manufacturing, automotive, and various trade skills. These programs should focus on awareness, literacy, and relevant reskilling. For the informal workforce, vulnerable to disruptions, tailored orientation programs are crucial to enable them to adapt to AI-driven changes in their livelihoods.

Public sector involvement, particularly government initiatives, is essential to drive these efforts, akin to the vision outlined in the Future Skills report, which primarily addresses the formal system.

Also read: AI adoption in industry: Need for education, training and upskilling

Q. Could you please share any advice for youth, organizations, or institutions on effectively preparing for the changing AI-driven landscape?

A. For the younger generation, acquiring essential skills such as coding, computational thinking, and technical AI-related skills is crucial. However, beyond technical proficiency, I would strongly advise them to emphasize human intelligence. Developing emotional skills, teamwork, leadership qualities, critical thinking, and evaluative skills are essential. While leveraging AI tools for assistance, it’s vital not to become subservient but rather to learn how to exploit AI.

For organizations, the era of competition should transition into a time of collaboration. The impact of artificial intelligence necessitates a united human force to effectively harness its potential. Political, educational, and business leaders should recognize the shift towards collaboration, understanding that a divided force might face exploitation by AI systems. It is essential for all sectors to unite in the face of this technological evolution.