Exquitec Education Technology reposted this
EduTech Consultant/Global Educator/Lecturer/Researcher/International Speaker/MIT LEAP Fellow /PhET Fellow/ MIE Fellow/STEAM
I was invited by the EDUAI hub at Unilag, Lagos, to give a Keynote on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in Education in Africa, current applications, key challenges, and prospects. Of note is that the impact of AI extends beyond the confines of the classroom. It can support learning with AI, learning about AI, and preparing individuals for AI-driven futures. While I am excited about the potential of AI in Education, especially the applications of Predictive Analytics: how AI can analyze students' data to identify potential learning difficulties and predict students at risk of falling behind, allowing for early intervention and targeted support to help these kinds of students succeed. Along with other potentials. One area of concern for me is the Overhyped Expectations! (No Tech tool is a magic wand) The hype surrounding AI in education needs to be tempered with realistic expectations. It's important to avoid overselling the potential of AI without sufficient evidence and avoid perpetuating the belief that AI can replace human educators. Speaking of Evidence.... Although there are efforts underway to integrate AI into education in Africa. For instance, some African countries are exploring AI-powered solutions to improve accessibility and quality of education. Unfortunately, Africa's progress is hindered by limited research and development. It is documented that Africa accounts for only 2% of global AI research in education, indicating a significant gap in research and development. There is a lack of robust evidence on the direct impact of AI on learning outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of AI-based interventions. The impact of AI on students, educators, and society at large remains undetermined. This includes inquiries on the effectiveness of AI interventions, the selection of pedagogical approaches employed when using AI tools, the impact of AI on teachers’ jobs, and what kind of new curriculum content we should be considering in educational institutions. To bridge this gap, African countries need to invest in AI research, infrastructure, and capacity building. #AIinEducation #Africa #Education #Research #AfricaDevelopment