AI’s adaptability, personalization and analytical capabilities have the potential to revolutionize the learning experience by making education more engaging, effective and tailored to individual learner needs.

In an interview with Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Director Academic Affairs, delves into the meaning and application of AI at ISBAT University.

How do you define the role of AI in education?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an important role in education. The integration of artificial intelligence technologies into learning environment enhances teaching methods, personalize learning experiences, assessment for improvements, automate administrative tasks, and provide adaptive contents to students. The AI changes the whole experience of stakeholders’ involvement and leads to better outcomes.

How ISBAT University has applied AI in higher education?

ISBAT is a pioneer university to apply AI in education. It is being used in personalized learning using iLearn adaptive learning LMS platform. It monitors the learning pace of students intelligently and record learning progress. Students’ learning assessment on outcome achievement is done without any human intervention. It has been experienced that interactive AI-driven content enhances engagement and interest of students in learning.

At ISBAT, AI is being used in education in various ways, such as:

1. Personalized learning: AI algorithms analyze students’ learning patterns to create customized learning paths.
2. Adaptive learning platforms: These systems adjust content and pacing based on individual student performance.
3. Intelligent tutoring systems: AI-powered programs simulate one-on-one instruction, providing immediate feedback and tailored guidance.
4. Learning Outcome assessment: AI automates grading processes and offers insights into student performance. AI generates actionable data to track student progress and adapt teaching strategies to ensure desired outcome is achieved.
5. Administrative tasks: AI streamlines administrative tasks like scheduling, admissions, and resource allocation. Automation of administrative tasks frees up time for faculty members to focus on teaching and research.
6. Digital Proctoring: AI enabled digital proctoring of online assessment has been a major milestone in safe and secure assessment of candidates in the case of distance learning.

What are the challenges of implementing AI in education?

There are numerous concerns while implementing AI in education, such as:

1. Access and equity: Unequal access to technology and resources can widen educational disparities.
2. Privacy concerns: Safeguarding student data and ensuring data privacy is a significant challenge.
3. Resistance to change: Educationalists may face challenges in adapting to new technology or methodologies.
4. Ethical considerations: AI-driven decision-making raises concerns about biases and fairness in educational outcomes.

The ISBAT University has taken care of such concerns to provide equitable and accessible education to all learners and updates new technologies time-to-time. The University ensures to safeguard students’ data and maintains data privacy.

How can AI enhance the learning experience?

AI’s adaptability, personalization and analytical capabilities have the potential to revolutionize the learning experience by making education more engaging, effective, and tailored to individual learner needs. It also helps in identifying the learning gaps and predicts future learning needs.

Students can have their own pace to suit individual learning capabilities and offers personalized learning paths. AI helps interactive learning experience using AI-powered tools.

Recently, in October 2023, ISBAT students of Bachelors of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning participated in a technical Hackathon organized by “Total Energy” on AI&ML technologies. The teams were tasked to propose “innovative ideas using the data provided on Kampala City’s Road, Electricity and Traffic Networks” to provide solutions that will assist in identifying optimal locations for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points in Kampala, ISBAT students emerged successful and won a price of UGX 11 million.

What role do teachers play in an AI-driven educational environment?

Teachers remain essential in guiding and facilitating learning. Their role evolves to become mentors, facilitators, and evaluators. They use AI-generated data to personalize teaching methods and provide additional support to students for deep learning.

What is the future of AI in education?

AI is being used in every field of life related to business, commerce, education, health, law, engineering, arts, science, and entertainment etc. The future of AI in education holds promise for further advancements in personalized learning, virtual classrooms, AI-driven content creation, and adaptive learning technologies. Integration of AI will likely become more prevalent as technology continues to evolve.

Students of ISBAT University have developed many innovative projects using AI technologies, e.g., “Eye for Blind”, “Sign Language for Deaf”, and a working Helicopter etc. In times to come many innovations will take place. Future of AI in education is very wide; demand for AI technologies is increasing multifold.