In September 2023, UNESCO published its first guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education and research, underlining the urgency of regulating these emerging technologies. This guide is a response to the rapid integration of AI into education systems, which brings with it significant opportunities and challenges. From the inclusion of students in remote areas to the need to protect data and ensure equity, AI promises to transform education in many ways.
One of the most notable benefits of AI in education is its ability to provide personalized support. Tools like ChatGPT can adapt to the individual needs of students, especially those with disabilities or living in rural areas. In the Argentinian province of Mendoza, for example, an early warning system uses AI to identify students at risk of dropping out of school. This program has enabled education authorities to intervene immediately and adapt strategies to retain students and improve their academic performance.
However, the introduction of AI is also widening the digital divide. Students in areas with limited access to the internet or suitable devices are at a disadvantage compared to those in better-equipped environments. In response, UNESCO has called on governments to develop policies that ensure equitable access to these technologies and emphasize the importance of digital inclusion in order to leave no student behind.
The use of AI in education is not without risks. Data protection and data security are key concerns. UNESCO has emphasized the need to establish explicit standards for the collection and use of data in AI applications. Measures must also be taken to prevent AI from reproducing bias or discrimination contained in historical training data. These concerns are essential to protect integrity and equity in education.
The Early Warning Program in Argentina, for example, monitors academic performance and tracks students' personal circumstances. The collection of such sensitive data must be handled with extreme care to protect student privacy and avoid abuse.
Teachers' role
AI can change the role of teachers by freeing them from routine tasks such as lesson planning, material preparation and student assessment. This could allow teachers to spend more time interacting directly with students and personalizing instruction. However, overuse of technology can limit teacher autonomy and make education an overly mechanized process.
Stuart J. Russell, a computer science professor at the College of California, Berkeley, notes that while AI can be a valuable tool, human presence will always be necessary to understand and guide students. Social interaction and the development of critical thinking cannot be completely delegated to machines.
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In regions such as Africa and Latin America, AI is a powerful tool for overcoming educational barriers. In Sierra Leone, for example, a collaboration between the non-governmental organization EducAid and the company FabData has developed an AI system that supports teachers via WhatsApp, makes pedagogical suggestions and improves teaching in resource-limited contexts.
Also in Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, AI enabled students to continue their education via digital platforms. These examples show how technology can adapt to different circumstances to improve access and quality of education.
