Accelerating AI in Education: A Global Imperative
As we stand on the edge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the marriage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with education emerges not as a mere option but as a moral obligation. Reflecting on the eventful last 25 years, it’s evident that educational systems worldwide have stumbled in their hesitant embrace of technology, resulting in untapped potential and uneven progress, made evident by the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic. Considering both the seismic changes in remote work practices and the surging demand for professionals well-versed in AI, there arises an urgent call for the swift integration of AI within classrooms and educational frameworks.
The Slow March of Education Systems
Over the past two decades, schools and educational systems have grappled with integrating technology. Unfortunately, the track record has been less than stellar. Ed systems, notorious for their sluggish pace, have often stumbled when it comes to harnessing the potential of technology. The result? A missed opportunity to enhance teaching and learning.
The pandemic shed a glaring light on the gaps in our educational system. Most students, teachers, and parents worldwide lamented their COVID learning experience. But why did it have to be that way? After all, educational technology had been introduced and adopted in schools for well over two decades. Some institutions transitioned seamlessly, leveraging technology effectively. Yet, for many, the experience was dismal.
The culprit? Inexperience. Over twenty years ago, we introduced education technology, but we allowed systems to adopt it at their own pace. Consequently, most systems moved at a glacial speed, lacking immersive, technology-infused environments. When the pandemic struck, the unpreparedness was glaring. We witnessed the consequences of slow adoption — the struggle to pivot, the digital divide, and the missed opportunities for meaningful learning. Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis serves as a stark reminder that the slow pace of technology adoption in education is a conscious choice rather than an inevitable circumstance.
Even before the pandemic, we were familiar with this fragmented landscape: some institutions thrived while others lagged behind. Numerous empirical studies have consistently highlighted a concerning pattern: even in classrooms where students frequently use technology for learning tend to underperform compared to those where technology is used less often (as observed again in the recent OECD PISA 2023 report , See figure 1 and 2). This performance gap spans various academic domains, including mathematics, science, digital literacy and even when assessing collaborative problem-solving skills using devices. Despite the widespread availability and frequent use of technology in classrooms, we have yet to fully comprehend effective strategies for harnessing its potential to positively impact learning outcomes at scale.
The recent 2022 PISA results underscore our collective struggle to effectively integrate technology, resulting in a decline in student performance across most countries due to the pandemic. Notably, out of the 81 participating countries and economies, only 7, including Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland, demonstrated resilience in mathematics performance. This prompts us to reflect: How might the educational landscape have evolved if we had prioritized, funded, and wholeheartedly supported the effective integration of technology years ago, recognizing its profound impact on the way we work, live and learn?
Embracing AI: A Path to Global Competitiveness
As we contemplate the trajectory of technological advancements and their implications for future work paradigms, AI emerges as a potent force reshaping industries and daily routines. Yet, the pace of AI adoption within educational realms demands urgency, for failure to expedite integration risks consigning our children to the periphery of the global workforce. Consider the case of Klarna , a company leveraging AI to revolutionize customer service, yielding exponential efficiency gains and substantial financial returns. With AI-driven solutions at the helm, Klarna reported a staggering 25% decrease in repeat inquiries, alongside a remarkable reduction in average conversation times from 11 to 2 minutes. Moreover, the company’s AI assistant now handles the workload equivalent to 700 full-time staff members, propelling Klarna towards an expected $40 million increase in profits in 2024. As a result, the growing need for professionals skilled in AI calls for a fundamental change in what we prioritize in education.
The urgency is compounded by the widespread adoption of remote work in the post-pandemic era. According to a recent CNBC article , the number of American workers hired by international companies surged by 62% last year. This growth empowers hiring managers to cast a global net in search of talent, with a particular focus on candidates proficient in AI. Consequently, the contrast between hiring individuals solely based on domain expertise and those bolstered by AI skills becomes more evident, positioning the latter to excel in a fiercely competitive job market. The equation is simple: AI skills open doors; lack of them closes them.
Charting the Course: National Approaches to AI in Education
In today’s education sphere, it’s crucial for nations and educational stakeholders to actively integrate AI into their systems rather than settling for complacency. So, what do we discover when we examine how countries are guiding the use and teaching of AI in schools? Well, while many nations discuss AI strategies, only a handful have formalized comprehensive guidance. In the US, although national guidance exists, only a handful of states have issued formal guidance for their school districts . However, there’s hope, with 11 states currently in the process of drafting such guidance. Internationally, countries like Singapore, Australia, and South Korea provide models of comprehensive AI strategies and robust teacher development programs for emulation. Bulgaria stands out in Europe as one of the first countries to establish guidelines for AI’s application in supporting teachers and fostering students’ social and emotional skills, as noted by Education Minister Galin Tzokov .
Leading the Way: Implementing AI Strategies for the Future of Education
So, what can stakeholders do in the face of this urgency? The answer is clear: we cannot afford to wait. We must initiate dialogues on AI’s importance, cultivate AI literacy among educators, students, and parents, and integrate AI tools into daily practices. Some countries are leading the way in AI education. These examples demonstrate the benefits of early adoption and offer valuable lessons for others to follow. Below are three steps countries can begin taking to effectively integrate AI and secure a vibrant future for their students:
In light of this urgency, stakeholders cannot afford to wait. School and system leaders, teachers, and parents must proactively embark on the journey of AI integration today. Waiting is not an option. This concise one-pager provides a practical guide, distilling insights from early adopters into actionable strategies.
In essence, the time for action is now. The future of education hinges on our ability to embrace AI as a transformative force. Let us heed the lessons of the past, seize the opportunities of the present, and pave the way for a future where every student is equipped to thrive in an AI-driven world.
Helping organizations master change. Cultural and Organizational Change, Digital Transformation and Growth
2 个月Very interesting article Giancarlo Brotto. Education did miss the boat and I think the problem is more generally one of organizational culture in education systems and schools. The problem has deep roots in teacher training, PD (also part of culture), digital illiteracy or a misconstrued perception of what digital literacy really is. Unfortunately if we depend on government, notoriously bad at change management we'll be in the 5th IR complaining about the same time. The change or drive for change needs to be elsewhere (or at least elsewhere in parallel). As a parent that struggled to find a good education for my sons, I was often surprised at how many parents accepted the level of education in public, private institutions and everything in between. Parents need to be better educated and more actively involved in demanding better education for their kids and this undoubtedly means equipping them with 21C tools, AI being the one of most impact in these last years. There is a lot of work and educating on many fronts but there also needs to be a deeper change at the core of the culture in education systems. As I work on cultural change programs I realise it is very often the missing link in so many digital transformations.