The world we live in is always rapidly changing. It is just like the world of Artificial intelligence (AI). So I decided, along with my team I’m working with, to look at some new learning on Artificial intelligence (AI). We looked at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and their 2023 International Conference on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity, and Skills (OECD, 2023) event. This event had many recorded sessions on various artificial intelligence-related topics. I viewed sessions on the impact of AI on the workplace: ChatGPT, PISA and the Future of Education and Can AI improve access to the labour market for people with disabilities? Each of these sessions struck a chord with me personally. I share some of what I have learned.
The first session that caught my eye was entitled ChatGPT, PISA and the Future of Education. This one interested me both as an educator and a graduate student. The OECD just released a report, “Is Education Losing the Race with Technology? AI’s Progress in Maths and Reading,” and discussed some of that report. The results showed that AI is improving with every advancement, especially in text-only questions. The experts believe that we need to embrace the new technology and need ways to leverage it. Some exciting points around curriculum design are essential to look at. Curriculum development is usually a slow process and may need to change to keep up with the changes in AI. The other considerations that need to be thought about are
- professional development for educators,
- changing any pre-service training for educators,
- education for students on AI, and
- continuing to work on teacher-student relationships.
We have yet to think about policy.
The second session I viewed was entitled Can AI improve access to the labour market for People with Disabilities? As many know, people with disabilities have more difficulty finding employment. However, as the experts pointed out, it all comes down to inclusion and equity. I discovered that many AI-centred invents are already used for people with disabilities. In addition, some tools help people get jobs and help them with the skills to keep and maintain those jobs. The experts on the panel pointed out how AI tools can help to level the playing field for so many people with disabilities. This made me think about the AI tools I use daily to help with my writing and how we can all benefit from them. The key is ensuring AI tools are affordable and accessible to all.
After watching these sessions on AI, I want to learn more about AI when it comes to education around inclusion and equity. How can we ensure everything gets a proper education with the assistance of AI? How do you make sure everything has access to AI tools? What benefits does every student gain from AI as part of their education? What must be the starting point? It is up to the current educational leaders to continue to raise the bar for our current and future students.
References
Bruniges, M. et al. (2023, March 27-30). ChatGPT, PISA and the Future of Education. [Conference session]. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development annual conference, online.
Fitzpatrick, D. et al. (2023, March 27-30). Can AI improve access to the labour market for people with disabilities? [Conference session]. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development annual conference, online.
OECD. (2023). Artificial intelligence in work, innovation, productivity and skills conference 2023. https://www.oecd-events.org/ai-wips-2023
Hi Ed- Lots to explore!
I am curious about your question, “How can we ensure everything gets a proper education with the assistance of AI?” -what do you define as proper education? Is it more about ensuring AI use does not interfere with students leaving school, not understanding the intended outcomes, and obtaining the requisite skills associated with their program?
So many questions with this new toy!! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Gail,
Thanks for reading my post. You caught an error in my post. It should be “ensure everyone…” When I mention proper education, I mean how to ensure everyone still learns all the basic skills for their studies. But I would like AI tools to be a part of that. Learning how to use AI tools as part of one learning may be that added outcome. I want educators to embrace the new tools and see how we can make all student’s learning experience even richer.
Some great thoughts here, Ed. I find AI to be such a massive topic; it is hard to know where to start! Your comments regarding AI and people with disabilities caught my interest. As a former special education teacher, I know technology tools are essential to those with specialized needs. My question would revolve around training, as many students/learners/people with challenges require training to use them effectively; how do we (as educators or AI organizations) provide training for those that need it?
I am curious to see where this journey takes you!
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your comments. I think that it needs to be a two-pronged approach. AI tool creators should inform educators how to effectively use their tools in an educational setting. Then educators and institutions need to put this information into our curriculum and teach the students.