Rethinking Education in the Age of AI

During the recent AI XForm Bootcamp, held in ITP Prizren this month, where youth learned how AI can boost their work opportunities, a 'silent' debate about the relevance of the educational system genuinely evolved.

Dropping out of traditional schooling, arguing that the rapid advancement of AI is rendering it obsolete. And, on the other side, a more conservative perspective that the school remains critically relevant, even amidst the AI-driven changes.

When my son was in middle school (this was a few years before Covid-19), he also made a remark that it's only the education system that hasn't changed. Occasionally, he would mention some successful people who shared their example of dropping out of school. However, as a mother, despite continuously upskilling myself with all the latest concepts, practices, and technologies to provide advisory and consulting services to my clients, and despite experiencing and acknowledging the fact that sometimes I would have monetized more from a 5-day certification course than from a complete degree, I couldn't diminish the importance of school to my son, and I still do not. In our mother-and-son discussions, I would always argue that these successful people who dropped out of school most probably, among other factors, were very disciplined self-learners!

My favorite, Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers: The Story of Success, compares Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist, and father of the atomic bomb, to Christopher Langan, a man with an IQ of 195 (for comparison, Einstein's was 150). While they both have high IQs, Oppenheimer was incredibly successful, while Langan has spent most of his life working as a bouncer in a bar. Gladwell, who later was criticized, argues that opportunity, culture, and practical intelligence played a significant role in shaping the different trajectories of Oppenheimer and Langan's lives. While Langan was undoubtedly gifted, his lack of opportunity, culture, and practical intelligence prevented him from reaching his full potential.

Does the current educational system provide for the opportunity, culture, and practical intelligence, in addition to other factors that make one succesfull?

While the educational system has undoubtedly evolved over time and offers certain advantages, there are also areas where it falls short. In terms of opportunities, the current educational system does provide opportunities for many students. It offers a structured learning environment, access to a wide range of subjects, and the possibility of acquiring valuable skills and knowledge. However, the extent of opportunities can vary significantly based on factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and individual circumstances. In this regard, there is room for improvement to ensure that all students have equitable access to opportunities.

The culture within the educational system plays a significant role in shaping students' experiences and outcomes. It encompasses not only the values and norms upheld within schools but also the broader societal culture. In many cases, the educational culture prioritizes academic achievement and standardized testing. While this can be beneficial in measuring certain aspects of learning, it may not always foster creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability, which are increasingly important in the AI era. Thus, there is a need to consider a more holistic approach that encourages diverse forms of intelligence and talent.

On the other side, practical intelligence, often referred to as "street smarts" or the ability to navigate real-world situations effectively, is an area where the current educational system can be criticized.

Traditional curricula tend to focus heavily on theoretical knowledge and standardized testing, which may not always translate directly into practical skills needed in the workforce. In the AI era, where problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration are crucial, there is a growing recognition of the need to integrate practical intelligence development into education.

It is more than evident that in the ever-evolving landscape of AI transformation, the debate surrounding the future of the education system is nothing short of a whirlwind.

This made me explore both viewpoints and suggest ways to improve the educational system to foster the development of essential skills in the AI era.

As such, the proponents of dropping out of traditional schools in favor of alternative paths argue that AI-driven changes have ushered in an era where the conventional education system is no longer adequate. On the other side of the spectrum, proponents of traditional education argue that it remains a crucial foundation for personal and societal development, even in the AI age.

The points of contention include:

Improving the Educational System for the AI Age

Drawing from my direct involvement and experience in reforms, occupational standards, and curriculum design, as well as my expertise in school management systems, and lately on the potential of Generative AI, I believe I am uniquely qualified to make this comparison and elaborate on a potential solution.

Rather than a binary choice between dropping out or adhering to traditional education, a more pragmatic approach is to adapt and improve the educational system to meet the demands of the AI era.

Some of the undertakings to achieve might be:

1. Incorporate AI and digital tools into the classroom to enhance learning experiences. This includes personalized learning paths, AI-assisted tutoring, and data-driven insights for educators to tailor their teaching methods.

2. To facilitate the above, the Curricula, Instructional Teacher, and Learner materials and/or tools should be revised and updated to prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and adaptability. Project-based learning that integrates technology, should be encouraged. Additionally, these reforms should focus on providing more equitable opportunities, fostering a culture that values diverse forms of intelligence, and integrating practical intelligence development into the curriculum.

3. Greater emphasis should be placed on developing soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, teamwork, communication, and creativity, as these abilities are less susceptible to automation.

4. Continue to promote the concept of lifelong learning, encouraging individuals to continually acquire new skills and knowledge throughout their lives to stay relevant in an AI-driven world as concluded by UNESCO, Rethinking Education: A New Social Contract (2021).

5. All the above changes, require investment in training educators to effectively use AI tools and technology in the classroom, ensuring they remain valuable mentors and guides for students.

6. The main stakeholders in this change are education institutions and industry players. They need to work together to align curricula with the evolving demands of the job market.

It becomes evident that a nuanced approach is necessary. While the traditional education system has its merits, it must adapt to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

By embracing technology, emphasizing essential skills, and fostering lifelong learning, we can build an educational system that equips individuals with the abilities needed to thrive in the AI age while preserving the valuable aspects of traditional education. It is not a matter of choosing one side over the other but of striking a balance that prepares students for the future while valuing the foundations of the past.

Only by addressing these areas can we ensure that the educational system truly equips students with the skills and attributes needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

References:

1. McKinsey Global Institute, Skill Shift: Automation and the Future of the Workforce (2017)
2. Gartner, Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2023 (2022)
3. World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2020 (2020)
4. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, What is Social and Emotional Learning? (2023)
5. National Education Association, Why Traditional Schools Matter (2023)
6. American Federation of Teachers, The Importance of Teachers in the AI Age (2023)
7. OECD, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Challenges and Opportunities (2021)
8. World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2020 (2020)
9. McKinsey Global Institute, Skill Shift: Automation and the Future of the Workforce (2017)
10. World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2020 (2020)