Hear the term artificial intelligence (AI) and you might think self-driving cars, robots, and ChatGPT. But, how exactly does AI work and what does it mean for future generations, especially when it comes to education?
Here, we dive into the latest research and ask the tech and product team at MyTutor to share the biggest changes ahead…
AI is probably one of the most talked about technologies on the planet, having evolved rapidly over the last decade. 15% of UK businesses are already using at least one AI technology, and the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, there will be 100 million AI jobs globally.
According to the Financial Times, AI is also transforming education – with generative tools like ChatGPT being used by students and teachers to help write essays and lesson plans respectively.
“With AI we have an amazing new power in our hands,” says Geoff Stead, Chief Product Officer at MyTutor. “We have the possibility to do good and to help fill learning and education gaps.
“But, with great power comes great responsibility. To make a meaningful difference we need to experiment and learn from what works as well as understand the pitfalls that come with AI.”
As American professor Father John Culkin said: ‘We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.’ “It’s on companies like us to guide and direct this power for good,” says Geoff.
What exactly is AI technology?
Artificial intelligence is a machine’s ability to perform a task that would’ve previously required a human mind.
You’ve probably interacted with AI before (perhaps without even realising it) – voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are based on AI tech, and some brands use customer service chatbots.
There are different types of AI, but here are some of the key ones to know about:
Machine and deep learning
According to consultancy firm, McKinsey, machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence based on algorithms that are trained on data. The algorithms can spot patterns and learn how to make predictions and recommendations. Machine learning has been around since the 1970s and has helped with things like speech recognition, medical-imaging analysis and weather forecasting.
Deep learning is a type of machine learning that can process a wider range of data including images, sound and text. It uses artificial neural networks – based on the ways neurons interact in the human brain (yes, pretty mind-blowing). It tends to be more accurate and complex than traditional machine learning.
Companies are already using both to help speed up processes and cut costs – from predicting when tools and equipment need fixing to answering customer queries.
Generative AI
Generative AI is an AI model that creates content in response to a prompt and includes tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E (a tool for making AI-generated art). It’s likely to change how we work, learn and search for information.
How will AI affect education?
AI is already having a big impact on education, revolutionising different aspects of the learning experience for both teachers and students.
There’s no denying that AI tools are super-smart. In a recent study, researchers in the US put GPT4, OpenAI’s most sophisticated AI model, through a series of college entrance exams. The results were astounding – it came in the top 20th percentile in a series of subjects including macroeconomics, statistics and history.
When it comes to teaching and improving the classroom experience, AI can help to automate repetitive tasks like marking work and tracking student performance. It can also help teachers to create more personalised lesson plans and increase engagement.
AI tools can also help teachers identify students who are struggling by instantly analysing performance data and enabling them to provide proactive support. More simply, AI-backed language translation tools will enable all students to participate in classes and understand lectures, driving inclusivity and accessibility.
How is MyTutor using AI to provide better learning experiences?
At MyTutor, AI’s potential to support teens and tutors is huge. From the ability to match students to tutors more efficiently, to helping tutors understand learners’ needs better, AI tools could also help tutors provide a more detailed progress report to share with teens, teachers and parents.
“The magic of our MyTutor happens in the relationships built between tutors and students,” says Izzy Watson, Senior Product Manager at MyTutor. “We know that when the right match is made, the tutor becomes not just a teacher but a role model and mentor who engages and inspires the younger student.
“We don’t want to lose that. We see the potential of AI in augmenting these moments between tutors and learners, not replacing our tutors.”
How to talk to children about AI
Children and teens are probably coming across AI already through their phones and tablets, and there’s no need to hide away from it. Instead, try having open conversations about what it means and how they might use it.
1. Explain it simply
Start with the basics – you could explain AI as a computer that works similar to a human brain, and that the computer is able to learn by the words, pictures and numbers that it’s given.
2. Educate them about the appropriate use of AI
Children can be very curious and are probably going to have plenty of questions about AI, so giving them just a few examples they’re familiar with could help them gain a very basic understanding. From Siri the Apple voice assistant to certain video games, AI is growing across all kinds of tech.
It can also be helpful to explain to older teens that generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be linked to plagiarism. While they can be helpful for exploring their own thinking with prompts, using them to get quick and easy answers or to write essays for them, won’t help their learning in the long term (and will get them into trouble at school and university!).
3. Help keep them safe
Online safety is becoming a bigger priority for all parents and you can check out our latest guide on this here. As with all social platforms and new tech, there are downfalls. AI has been linked to scams, misinformation and data breaches, so it’s a good idea to talk to them about the disadvantages and the importance of keeping themselves safe.
If your teen needs extra study support, our tutors are here to help. Find the right tutor for them here.
Read more about AI here:
What is AI? | McKinsey Explainers
What is AI? Everything to know | ZDNET Innovation
The AI Revolution Transforming Education | The Financial Times