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AI in Education Bi-weekly Digest - Issue #8


Welcome to the 8th issue. The use of AI in education continues to grow, with applications including immersive learning, AI-assisted tutoring, and personalized feedback. Some educators are concerned about the risks of AI, such as cheating and plagiarism, and the need for transparency and ethical considerations. However, AI has the potential to provide more personalized and efficient learning experiences. Google's DeepMind has announced a new language model, Gemini, which aims to surpass the capabilities of ChatGPT. As the use of AI in education expands, it will be important to consider its impact and continue to develop responsible AI practices.


Events & Activities:

Immersive Learning in the Metaverse Platform - Join our upcoming virtual seminar about 'Learningverse' developed by Prof Yanjie Song at The Education University of Hong Kong. 'Learningverse' includes the key features of an immersive learning environment with avatars that mirror the real users and rich social interactions.

News and Interviews:

Artificial Intelligence Can't Work Without Our Data - The article proposes the idea of an AI Dividend where Big Tech companies would pay a small licensing fee for the use of public data to train their generative AI models. The article argues that this approach would incentivize companies to use public data in a more transparent and secure manner, while also compensating individuals for their contributions to AI development.

Could the Metaversity be the College Campus of the Future - Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia has become the world's first 'Metaversity,' an interactive virtual learning space designed to increase engagement among students who are learning remotely. Morehouse College's virtual reality courses have resulted in increased attendance rates, engagement and achievement from students.


It's Only a Matter of Time before AI Chatbots are Teaching in Primary Schools - AI chatbots, backed by large language models, can help students self-guide through voluminous materials and tailor education to specific learning styles, freeing teachers to focus on personalized lessons. AI can also generate teaching materials and quiz questions, and leverage existing knowledge and content to reduce teachers' workload. AI can give teachers more data about their students and tell them which areas or topics a student needs the most help with.


In Classrooms, Teachers Put AI Tutoring Bots to the Test - Newark Public Schools in New Jersey is piloting Khanmigo, an AI-assisted tutoring bot developed by Khan Academy. The bot uses OpenAI language models to customise responses to students and help them work through problems at their own pace. However, critics warn the bots can generate misinformation based on vast databases of texts.


Students Switch to AI to Learn Languages - AI-powered chatbots are increasingly being used for language learning, with many people finding them useful for vocabulary development, grammar, and other language skills. While popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard are being used by many, specific language acquisition apps like LangAI are gaining traction. However, some users have reported that chatbots are not as effective for underrepresented languages or those with different writing systems. There are also concerns about biases and data privacy.


Harvard Professor Taps AI to Help Teach World's Most Popular Online Computer Class - Harvard University's CS50, the world's most popular online computer science course, is planning to use AI to grade assignments, teach coding, and personalize learning tips. The virtual Teaching Assistant will evaluate and provide feedback to students' programming using rhetorical questions and suggestions instead of catching errors and fixing coding bugs. The course's Professor, David J. Malan, believes this will enable human TAs more time for in-person or Zoom-based office hours.


Articles & Blogs:

How to Tackle AI - and Cheating - in the Classroom – The author, an experienced teacher, expresses anxiety about the impact of AI on education and the possibility of being replaced by AI. The author acknowledges the benefits of technology in education but highlights the need to understand the ethical implications of AI. The article raises concerns about cheating and plagiarism with the use of AI and suggests the use of chatbots and plagiarism detectors to tackle these issues.


Higher Education Plays a Big Role in Preparing Graduates for an AI-led Economy - Higher education has a crucial role in preparing graduates for the future of work in an AI-led economy. Research shows that AI has the potential to automate 40% of the average workday, and automation is already underway in many companies. To better prepare graduates for the turbulence ahead, educators need to consider teaching skills such as self-awareness, foresight, and community building.


How Universities Can Foster AI Literacy in Higher Education While Solving Challenges – AI literacy is essential in higher education to navigate ethical complexities and harness the potential of generative AI tools responsibly. Institutions should establish clear policies, provide dedicated oversight, and promote equity and access to AI resources in order to mitigate risks and ensure responsible AI tool usage. Integrating AI-related topics into curricula, fostering collaboration, and conducting research are key strategies for promoting AI literacy and adoption in higher education.


As AI Spreads, Experts Predict the Best and Worst Changes in Digital Life by 2035 - A new Pew Research Center canvassing of technology experts has found that advances in digital technology will bring significant improvements to health care, education, and sustainability by 2035. However, many experts expressed concerns about the negative impacts of these technologies, including the risk of extinction for humans posed by AI, the potential for blanket surveillance, and the loss of jobs leading to poverty and a decline in human dignity. The experts emphasized that human choices in using technology for good or ill will shape the future, and called for ethical design and regulation to prevent negative consequences.


Bringing AI to the Classroom: It's Time to Start Learning - and Teaching - How to Use It - The education sector is slower to embrace AI due to privacy concerns, shifting workloads, and the need to train both teachers and students on how to use the technology effectively. The integration of AI in education will be a marathon, and transparency and explainability of AI tools must be a foundation of AI in education.


Google DeepMind Claims its New Algorithm will Trump ChatGPTs – Google's DeepMind has announced Gemini, an advanced language model that aims to surpass the capabilities of the algorithm that powers ChatGPT. Gemini, which uses techniques deployed in AlphaGo, will also be able to create outputs in a range of different formats, including text, images, and audio.


Tools/Resources:

Disclaimer: AI in Education has no affiliation with any highlighted free or commercial products in this section.

Azure OpenAI Demo Center – A whirlwind tour of OpenAI's power with source codes.


ATLAS.ti – GPT-powered qualitative data analysis tool/

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the linked posts are those of the speakers and or their entities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project AI in Education, Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.


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