Revolutionizing Education: Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer and information science, and is used to develop hardware and software systems that solve problems and accomplish tasks which, if performed by humans, would be considered a display of intelligence (Moursund, 2006). AI is a theoretical framework guiding the development and use of computer systems with the capabilities of human beings, more particularly, intelligence and the ability to perform tasks that require human intelligence, including visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages (Chen et al., 2020). It is also defined as a study area in computer science whose pursuits are aimed at solving different cognitive problems commonly associated with human intelligence, such as learning, problem solving, and pattern recognition, and subsequently adapting. AI is conventionally associated with computers, but it has been made possible to transfer it to other items such as buildings and robots due to embedded computers, sensors, and other emerging technologies (Chen et al., 2020). AI is used in education to aid in solving problems and accomplishing tasks including intelligent tutoring systems, computer-assisted language learning, and web-based education platforms (Moursund, 2006). AI has been used in language learning and teaching tasks to emulate the behavior of a teacher or learner though the text does not provide further information on how it is used. AI also has characteristics and tenets that are specific to its field, and it is linked to the future of higher education (Zawacki-Richter et al., 2019). Private companies like Google and non-profit public-private partnerships like the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence have heavily invested in AI, and AI applications related to teaching and learning are projected to grow significantly. With this in mind, the Technical University of Eindhoven is launching an Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute for education and research in AI (Zawacki-Richter et al., 2019). AIEd has been around for about 30 years, but it is still unclear how educators can make pedagogical advantage of it on a broader scale (Zawacki-Richter et al., 2019). There is a need for further exploration of ethical and educational approaches in the application of AIEd in higher education, and a lack of critical reflection of challenges and risks of AIEd (Zawacki-Richter et al., 2019).