Almost every industry relies on technology to thrive and evolve, and that is why there is increasing interest and investment in helping companies make smarter and faster decisions and products. Artificial intelligence has established itself in recent years as one of the most exciting technologies to be watched for. This emerging technology has already become an important component of many industries such as healthcare, education, defense, transportation, logistics and farming.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are still emerging in the field of education, but its potential to revolutionize learning cannot be overstated. There are ways of introducing new forms of learning, especially beyond the constraints of textbooks and typical classroom settings. Children are naturally found to be more curious when they are closer to nature – say while walking in a park or zoo, or leisurely staring at the night sky. Now, imagine an AI based personal tutor available in their pocket to answer all their questions. More specifically, this tutor precisely knows, what the child already knows or does not know based on the previous interactions and answers in appropriate level and detail. This is the future of personalized learning driven by AI.

This pandemic has challenged every school and college to relook at the contemporary process and embrace more emerging technologies and novel pedagogy models into the overall learning ecosystem. While large scale standardized tests based on multiple choice questions are prevalent, there is increasing interest for leveraging AI in more sophisticated applications like remote exam proctoring and evaluation of subjective answers. As deep tech learning contents using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are emerging, teachers are also increasingly adopting blended learning models like flipped classrooms, where new contents/concepts are introduced at home and the classroom sessions become more productive and interactive.

Though the pandemic contributed to the shift towards blended learning, the approach as such is largely driven by technology and proven pedagogy models. The trend will continue and evolve beyond the pandemic.

Currently, many institutions are opting for AI assisted chatbot-based learning platforms that allow students to learn at their own pace and time. As cities become more cosmopolitan, it is common to see students with widely varying skills and expertise sitting together in a traditional urban classroom – challenging the teachers to engage effectively across such diverse set of students. This is where EdTech companies powered by AI address the need for customized learning solutions that adapts to individual student’s learning style and need. Practically’s technology and AI based learning app is used to offer individualized lessons in the form of deep tech contents, adaptive quizzes, live classes, and interactive gamified simulations.

For students, AI and ML can help make learning more experiential and stress free. Specifically, AI based tools like personalized learning paths help students meet their individual learning objectives, by guiding them through a sequence of effective learning contents and match the student’s learning style. Personalized learning paths along with deep tech learning contents like VR and AR form a great combination that not only makes learning fun and enjoyable, but also improves the retention and learning outcomes. These set of tools go beyond the traditional assessment and progress reporting, making learning a continuous journey, avoiding stress and anxiety.

As AI based educational solutions grow, they can fill more gaps in the traditional learning and teaching process. Another area where AI and ML has already begun influencing is in performance assessments and analytics. AI has made it easier to create and analyze progress reports, a task normally performed by instructors. By automating these tasks, faculty can spend more time with students on enhancing the creative and applied aspects of learning. Tools like Attentiveness Index helps teachers improve the experience of online classrooms.

Besides leveraging AI and ML as part of the education landscape, the study of AI and ML as a course right from high school education will put one at the forefront of future jobs and help develop better cognitive abilities. The Government of India’s New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has acknowledged the importance of AI and AI education in schools. These are being planned to be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum and pedagogy as well.

It is clear that both students and educators are immersed in technology, making the education industry ripe for further disruption. EdTech focus on harnessing technology to improve educational processes and outcomes for learners and teachers. AI and ML technologies are becoming cornerstones of the overall education ecosystem.

The article first appeared in the March 2021 issue of Dataquest magazine.