THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION

 
At this year’s Mobile World Congress, held from February 26-29 in Barcelona, Spain, artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage with 41 sessions dedicated to the subject. The event, which drew over 90,000 attendees, provided a deep dive into AI’s growth, impact, and potential to transform human lives.
Globally, AI is being hailed as a game-changer for business operations, with limitless applications. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), AI could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, surpassing the current economic output of China and India combined—a 14% increase in global GDP.
PwC’s report, “Sizing the Prize,” emphasizes the transformative potential of AI as it moves from research labs into mainstream use. This transformation is especially significant in sectors like education, where AI can help educators analyze data quickly and efficiently, moving from manual processes to machine assistance.
The 2023 Global Markets Insights report noted that AI in the education market was valued at $4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow by more than 10% annually from 2023 to 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for personalized learning, with AI enabling comprehensive data analysis to provide valuable insights for educators, administrators, and policymakers.
In response to the growing interest in AI, the Mastercard Foundation’s EdTech Mondays April 2024 edition explored the role of AI in education within the African context. “AI is transforming the global economy and will significantly impact education,” says Mutembei Kariuki, Founder and CEO of Fastagger. “By handling routine tasks, AI allows teachers to focus on mentorship.”
Kariuki’s views align with the broader potential of AI, which, despite being a buzzword among tech enthusiasts, has yet to fully impact developing countries. AI offers both opportunities and challenges in education—enabling personalized learning while necessitating a shift in mindset among educators and policymakers.
“AI is coming and is very disruptive,” says Matthew Grollnek, Future of Work Lead at the Mastercard Foundation. “While it presents opportunities, it also requires us to address its risks and maximize its benefits.”
A major impediment to AI adoption in Africa is the lack of a clear policy framework. Technological advancements often outpace policy development, but this is changing as the African Union (AU) implements its Continental Strategy on AI. This strategy prioritizes education and the preservation of African languages as key sectors to benefit from AI.
The AU’s Digital Education Strategy and Implementation Plan (2023-2028) aims to align digital technologies with Africa’s education needs. This includes using AI in teaching, learning, research, assessment, and administration; enhancing digital literacy and skills; and building infrastructure capacity in member states.
Some African countries are already making strides. Rwanda, for instance, has an AI policy that provides a roadmap to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating risks, such as data privacy concerns.
“AI is suitable for subjects like coding and mathematics, reducing teachers’ workloads and promoting inclusion and equity for learners with impairments,” says Christine Niyizamwiyitira, Scholar in Residence at Carnegie Mellon University.
According to the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, Africa’s workforce will reach a billion people by 2030, with 375 million young people entering the job market. This shift will require new educational strategies, and AI programs can equip young people with the skills needed in the job market.
Panelists at the event emphasized that AI will not replace teachers but will enhance their roles, allowing them to curate learning experiences and support students’ growth and well-being. The future of AI in education is indeed now.
Source: cnbcafrica.com
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