From AI to OI - Charting a New Course for EdTech

In a captivating opening keynote presentation at the 10th Anniversary EdTechX Summit, founders Charles McIntyre and Benjamin Vedrenne-Cloquet took the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of the past decade in EdTech while igniting a sense of optimism for the future of education and work. Amidst the excitement of this milestone event, Charles and Benjamin humbly reminded the audience of the modest origins of EdTechX, setting the stage for a thought-provoking exploration of the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and the emerging concept of organoid intelligence (OI).

Reflecting on the past ten years, Benjamin acknowledged the disappointments and challenges faced by the EdTech industry and posed thought-provoking questions, challenging the audience to consider what EdTech had truly delivered. With a touch of wry humour, he candidly acknowledged the misgivings of the EdTech sector in recent years, admitting that the impact of EdTech has not matched the initial expectations and recognising the need for change.

As the audience grappled with the sobering realities, Benjamin then offered a glimmer of hope for the future. He urged the audience to embrace a mindset of resilience and optimism, recognizing that the journey toward the full potential of EdTech is far from over with a reminder that technology's triumphs in regulated industries, such as education, often require time and perseverance.

Building upon these insights, Charles took the stage to delve into the vast potential of AI in education. He captivated the audience with historical references, reminding them that throughout history, transformative inventions have often evoked fear and resistance. Drawing parallels between the apprehension surrounding the invention of writing in Socrates' time and the present concerns about AI, Charles masterfully wove a narrative that challenged the audience to embrace change.

While acknowledging the ethical challenges and biases that pervade AI, he painted a vivid picture of the incredible advancements in the field, particularly in the realm of generative AI and large language models like Chat GPT. He emphasized the importance of a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, a partnership where human feedback plays a crucial role in reinforcing learning. He encouraged educators to view AI as a tool rather than a threat, urging them to reimagine teaching methods and assessment practices in the light of AI's capabilities.

In a surprising twist, Benjamin shifted the conversation towards the future of intelligence itself with a futuristic vision of a world where organoid intelligence (OI) surpasses traditional AI. He unveiled a paradigm shift in the understanding of intelligence with the concept of biocomputers powered by lab-grown human brain cells with the potential to revolutionize the boundaries of human cognition.

As the opening keynote reached its conclusion, the EdTechX founders issued a resounding call to action, beckoning the EdTech community to embark on a transformative journey of reinvention. They implored us to not only reimagine the field of EdTech but also to reframe our relationship with intelligence and knowledge. With a sense of anticipation, they invited all stakeholders to embrace the profound shift from AI to OI paving the way for a wonderful explosion of human productivity and creativity, ultimately shaping a world of limitless possibilities.

Watch the EdTechX 2023 Opening Keynote below.

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