Using AI to enable inclusive education

“Looking ahead, the trajectory of technology in education promises to deepen and broaden its integration into every facet of our educational endeavours. As educators, learners, and innovators, we stand at the threshold of a future where technology collaborates with us, enriching our educational landscape and empowering us to achieve new heights of excellence.” 

- Dr. Lin Zhou (SVP and Chief Information Officer at The New School)

We’re on the cusp of a world in which education systems are transformed by AI. EduTech leaders are uncovering the potential of AI to enable personalised learning opportunities in schools, colleges, and universities around the world; and offer enhanced student support services that are available 24/7. 

AI can automate administrative tasks in education, lightening the burden of bureaucracy for teachers and education providers. It can help to enhance teacher training and professional development; create immersive, tech-powered learning experiences; and analyse vast amounts of educational data to identify learning patterns and trends, flag at-risk students, and predict student outcomes. 

At LEAP, we’re particularly excited about the potential of artificial intelligence to create more inclusive education opportunities for students around the world. 

Implementing AI in education

Earlier this year, we interviewed Dr. Lin Zhou (SVP and Chief Information Officer at The New School) to get his perspective on the potential impact of AI on education. 

Zhou joined The New School in 2019, following 20 years at IBM – where he was program director and innovation leader for Watson Education, leading it from startup phase to global leader in the application of AI in education.

We asked him what the impact of AI could be in an ideal world where nothing went wrong; and what the key challenges are to successfully (and positively) implementing AI tools and skills in educational settings. 

“AI holds the promise of revolutionising the learning experience, enabling students to harness vast repositories of data and cutting-edge technologies to augment their educational journey,” Zhou said. “Within higher education institutions, we witness tangible examples of AI's transformative potential in action.”

“For instance, students leverage GenAI applications for a myriad of items ranging from email correspondence and presentations to brainstorming sessions and automating repetitive tasks. Through automation, AI liberates valuable cognitive resources, for more meaningful and intellectually stimulating pursuits.”

Driving a more collaborative approach to education through tech

AI is enabling more effective collaborative learning environments, as well as facilitating collaboration between regional and international education leaders and teachers. 

For example, AI algorithms can analyse students’ strengths and learning styles to assign them to diverse, complementary learning groups that can work effectively together on learning tasks and projects. And AI-powered group moderation can support group discussions – detecting conflicts or biases and promoting respectful and productive conversations. 

Enhanced peer learning platforms, such as Brainly AI, can match learners with peers around the world to collaborate on learning projects and enable a global community that enhances students’ overall learning experience. 

And teacher-AI collaboration can support teachers; by automating administrative tasks, generating tailored lesson plans, and assisting in developing and managing collaborative assignments for students. 

Zhou added, “AI promotes a culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration, breaking down silos between academic disciplines and facilitating holistic learning experiences. Through AI-driven platforms, students from diverse backgrounds can engage in collaborative projects, drawing upon their unique perspectives and expertise to tackle complex challenges. 

“By transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries, AI empowers students to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of real-world problems and develop innovative solutions that span multiple domains.” 

How can AI enable inclusive education? 

We can use AI to create more equitable and accessible learning environments for all students. It can: 

• Provide personalised learning content that adapts to each student’s needs, abilities, and learning style.
• Offer advanced accessibility tools for students with disabilities – including digital textbooks with audio descriptions or sign-language videos, and AI-powered language processing tools to support students with communication challenges.
• Deliver automated student support, 27/4.
• Power data analysis to identify gaps in learning, and provide enhanced assessment and early intervention.

According to Zhou, if we imagine an ideal educational landscape, “AI serves as an indispensable ally, guiding students on their quest for knowledge and equipping them with the tools and skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

“By democratising access to education and fostering collaboration, AI paves the way for a future where every student has the opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.”

So now is the time to reimagine education as truly inclusive. With advanced technologies to enhance learning, education can empower learners with diverse abilities to excel – and achieve their most ambitious learning and career goals.