Ask no questions, hear no lies

The most revolutionary figure in education over the past decade is undoubtedly artificial intelligence (AI).

Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, puts it: “AI has the potential to revolutionise education by providing individualised learning experiences to each student, something that’s simply not possible with a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Here’s the breakdown:

Rule #1: AI should not replace teachers.

What people care about in education is not technology, but rather the human connection with their teacher. It’s the relationship between the teacher and student that truly enhances learning, not the use of AI. It will always take a teacher, which is why we celebrate them in our annual awards.

Rule #2: AI should be used to personalise learning.

Most people who try to use AI in education think it’s about replacing teachers and making learning more efficient. When actually, it’s about using AI to individualise instruction and meet the specific needs of each student. This is the job of every person working in education. As Daniel Susskind reminds us, “One size fits all actually means one size fits none.”

Rule #3: AI should be used to provide timely and targeted feedback.

Success in education is not about simply giving students access to information, but rather about using AI to provide personalised feedback and help students practice and improve. Most of will be familiar with the impact that individualised feedback can have on learners, and Professor John Hattie’s work on this

Rule #4: AI should be used to foster a growth mindset.

Whether you are a teacher, student, or education policymaker, this rule still applies. You have to cultivate a growth mindset in order to effectively use AI in education — the information the systems provide can help tweak and transform learning. The brilliant Carol Dweck suggests,

The hallmark of successful people is that they are always stretching themselves to learn new things.

Rule #5: AI should shift the focus from grades to growth.

This is true for most things in education. Your goal should not be to simply achieve good grades, but rather to facilitate real learning and personal growth. Then, and only then, will you be able to effectively use AI in the classroom.

It is clear that the use of AI in education is a complex and controversial topic, and it is important that we approach it with caution and care but that doesn’t mean avoiding it. AI has the potential to enhance education so it is essential that we ensure that it is used in a way that benefits all students and does not undermine the human element of teaching and learning. Our students, parents and society deserve it.

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