AI in Tutoring: Reducing Risks and Enhancing Learning Outcomes

Of late, the blending of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has transformed the way we approach teaching and learning. AI-powered tools have the potential to enhance educational experiences. Just like with any new technology, there are some risks. We need to make sure that AI tools are used responsibly and ethically.

In this short article, I will explore strategies to tackle the high risks associated with AI in tutoring, ensuring a safe and beneficial learning environment for students.

You might wonder why I’m jumping into risks straight way. I discussed ‘Intelligent Thinking’ featured in ‘Independent Schools Management’. The key themes included enhancing human-AI collaboration, revolutionising learning with personalised paths and intelligent tutoring systems, boosting administrative productivity. I also touched on ethical AI and the importance of transparency, fairness and accountability. You can read more about here on page 38.

Regular Monitoring and Responsible Use

Intelligent Tutoring Systems or ITS can provide personalised one-on-one lessons, immediate feedback, and additional practice or explanations, making high-quality education more accessible. These systems can identify students who are at risk of falling behind by analysing patterns in their academic performance.

Using AI tools continuously monitor student progress and performance allows for early intervention and more targeted support by their teachers. This helps in identifying any issues early, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the workloads for teachers. This comes with added risks, however.

Keeping ethics front and centre while developing AI in education to get the best results without the downsides is important. Always double-check AI analysis and compare it with human judgment to avoid misunderstandings and potential biases. This ensures decisions are based on accurate data. Incorporating ethical practices to spot and reduce biases in AI systems guarantees fair and impartial interactions. Moreover, it's important to remember that AI should support, not replace, the human touch in education. With the right balance, we can make AI a helpful ally in creating a better learning environment for everyone.

Ethics in AI applications can't be achieved without transparency. It's crucial to inform your users, whether they are learners, teachers, or parents, that they are interacting with an AI system and to clearly communicate its purpose. Controlling the AI model and managing data handling is imperative. Addressing biases at the root [AF1]?[RJ2]?is necessary. Likewise, maintaining an AI registry that details ethical AI development measures is essential.

It is critical to ensure that automated decision-making AI systems used in tutoring don’t exhibit algorithmic discrimination or bias.[AF3]?[RJ4]? As developers and creators, we have a responsibility to ensure these systems incorporate principles like the Equality Heuristic, which prioritises fairness and prevents discriminatory outcomes. Also, conducting regular reviews of high-risk AI tutoring systems are essential to make sure these systems don’t develop biases.

So, by using AI in a responsible manner, including adopting good privacy and data security measures, we avoid concealment and ensure ethical AI practices.

AI Governance and Compliance

These are no longer buzz words but are now mandatory with the EU AI Act effective from 2nd Aug 2024, and timeline of new requirement following through. Creating a solid framework for AI governance is a must. This means having clear rules for using AI, following data protection laws, and keeping things transparent and accountable. It's super important to have people oversee AI applications to check and review the content that AI produces. We also need to keep data private by anonymising personal details and using AI tools with strong data protection features. Real-time monitoring with human intervention when needed should be the norm to ensure AI systems in tutoring are fair and unbiased. All this is ever more important as education falls under the high-risk category of the Act.

It's also good to include regular feedback loops where educators, learners, and parents can voice concerns or suggestions about the AI systems. This helps to make sure the systems are continuously improving and meeting everyone's needs. With these strategies, we can use AI responsibly in education, keeping it ethical and beneficial for all students.

Training and Awareness

No new technology advancements go without talking about training and awareness. Educators and staff should be trained on the ethical and responsible use of AI, including understanding algorithmic biases and implementing practices to ensure fairness and transparency. This not only helps in building trust but equips educators with the skills to spot unethical instances, thereby ensuring that AI systems align with educational values and regulatory requirements.

Final Thoughts

By integrating these strategies, schools and educational institutions can effectively tackle the high risks associated with AI in tutoring. AI has the potential to transform education, but it must be used responsibly and ethically. With the right approach, AI can create a safe and beneficial learning environment for students and educators, empowering them to achieve their full potential.