In an ideal world: How AI could transform education

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In a recent interview for LEAP, Dr. Lin Zhou (SVP and Chief Information Officer at The New School) answered this question: 

In an ideal world where everything went right and tech was inclusive and accessible for everyone, how could AI positively influence students' education?

We love the idea of imagining the potential of tech in a perfect world – because then we can think about how to reverse engineer it so that ideal use can become our reality. And we also loved Dr. Zhou’s answer to this question – so we wanted to share it with you here in DeepDive, too. 

AI is already having a profound impact, with unprecedented adoption rates

“The integration of AI is vividly demonstrated by the unprecedented adoption rate of ChatGPT,” Dr. Zhou said.

“While it took telephone companies 75 years to reach 100 million customers, OpenAI accomplished this same customer reach in just two months. This staggering 450x achievement underscores AI's profound impact, accelerating accessibility to information and advancing creativity across linguistic, disciplinary, and geographical boundaries. 

“In an ideal world, AI stands as a potent force for democratising education, empowering students with unparalleled access to resources and tools.” 

It could revolutionise the way students learn

“AI holds the promise of revolutionising the learning experience, enabling students to harness vast repositories of data and cutting-edge technologies to augment their educational journey. Within higher education institutions, we witness tangible examples of AI's transformative potential in action. 

“For instance, students leverage GenAI applications for a myriad of items ranging from email correspondence and presentations to brainstorming sessions and automating repetitive tasks. Through automation, AI liberates valuable cognitive resources, for more meaningful and intellectually stimulating pursuits.” 

And it could drive collaboration and understanding between industries and cultures 

“AI promotes a culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration, breaking down silos between academic disciplines and facilitating holistic learning experiences,” Dr. Zhou pointed out.

“Through AI-driven platforms, students from diverse backgrounds can engage in collaborative projects, drawing upon their unique perspectives and expertise to tackle complex challenges. 

“By transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries, AI empowers students to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of real-world problems and develop innovative solutions that span multiple domains.” 

Turning AI into humanity’s best ally 

“In this ideal educational landscape, AI serves as an indispensable ally, guiding students on their quest for knowledge and equipping them with the tools and skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. 

“By democratising access to education and fostering collaboration, AI paves the way for a future where every student has the opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.” 

Finally, Dr. Zhou said, “As we embrace the transformative power of AI, let us seize this moment to reimagine education as a truly inclusive and empowering endeavour, where every learner has the opportunity to excel and succeed.” 

We’re absolutely behind this message. If we can position AI as an ally to human life, our potential for a positive future will grow exponentially. So let’s keep imagining how AI could work in an ideal world – and move towards that dream. 

Follow Dr. Lin Zhou on LinkedIn. 

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