How is AI set to change life in school and at home?
by Educate Magazine June 13, 2023 · Latest Features / Technology
In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) is not what we once knew it to be. Over the past 70-80 years, AI has rapidly evolved from computers that can perform basic functions and play chess, to hoovers that can autonomously clean homes, voice-activated virtual assistants, self-driving cars, and even robots that can hold conversations so realistic that they almost seem human.
Essentially, artificial intelligence is a machine that has the ability to simulate that of human intelligence: thinking, learning, and problem-solving. Now a necessity in the everyday life of most people, AI has also made its way into the workplace, assisting employees with tasks that are possibly on the more mundane and repetitive side by taking on the roles of analysts, security, chatbots, and more.
‘BellaBot’.
BellaBot is able to collect and hand out supplies, show visitors around the school, and develop emotional connections with those it speaks to – even recommending books to students. Headteacher of St John Bosco Arts College, Darren Gidman, said: “The robots will provide a unique and engaging learning experience for our students, preparing them for the modern world and its evolving technologies.”
Recently, the ethics of AI and its risks to education hit the headlines due to the emergence and rise of the highly intelligent chatbot, ChatGPT. Perhaps controversially, ChatGPT can interpret and respond to very specific prompts given by users. Having been trained using the internet, books, user input and more, the software can conjure accurate and detailed, human-like responses, fulfilling requests such as writing essays, programming, and other tasks.
Its capacity to write informative essays that adhere to particular guidelines has meant that a lot of students have been using it to avoid completing their assignments and exams themselves. Popular submission and plagiarism detection software, Turnitin, was able to detect some AI-written essays, but not all; many were able to bypass the system by making edits to documents written by ChatGPT. As a result, some students have unfairly received grades that are not reflective of their true ability, and where assessments are graded on a curve, other students’ grades have suffered. This poses a huge, unethical risk to the education of many; especially those who are becoming too reliant on artificial intelligence to complete work on their behalf.
Students relying on this software are thus not learning content to the extent that they could be and are likely to struggle more when completing offline exams, effecting their overall grades. Educators are also unaware of the areas that these students require more assistance with. The consequences for being caught using this technology in an exam-setting are significant; individuals can be disqualified and banned from retaking the qualification. This is something that has happened on various occasions lately following the surge of ChatGPT, and it has certainly left a mark on the way that plagiarism detectors will be developed and improved from now on.
Artificial intelligence is ultimately set to continue changing life at home, in schools, and within different sectors. Though this will be the consequence of a variety of technology, one in particular that is expected to transform personal and professional lives is the Metaverse. A 3D, virtual space, the Metaverse utilises virtual reality headsets and augmented reality technology to connect people digitally – whether this be to socialise or work.
Some organisations have even created a professional office in the space, consisting of a large table for employees to sit around and hold discussions; this allows teams to almost ‘physically’ work together whilst still remaining at home. It is possible that, as AI develops, the education sector may begin to engage in digital spaces like the Metaverse too, hosting virtual classrooms for teachers to teach in, or making the most of digital libraries to enhance the accessibility of knowledge.
Overall, the intellect and convenience that AI offers means that the next decade will see more companies opting to use this kind of technology in order to further support their businesses. As it also becomes more widespread and affordable, it is very likely that, at home, AI will become more of a necessity than it already is. Families are already relying on AI to vocally request music, clean their rooms, secure their house, and for some, to even drive their cars – which is something that many people may not have expected to happen in their lifetime, if at all. Undoubtedly, additional AI will continue to arise and change lives in ways that previously could not have been fathomed.
