This is an extended abstract of the chapter Artificial Intelligence – from idea to implementation. How AI can reshape the education landscape?, written by Dr. Cătălin Vrabie, for the volume Changing the Game. AI in Education, edited by Alexandra Zbuchea, Florina Pinzaru, and Cristian Vidu.
The journey of technological evolution has been marked by the refinement of tools for mitigating risks and enhancing human capabilities. This trajectory is evident in the development from simple inventions like fire to complex technologies such as self-driving cars. The advent of computers and the Internet has further revolutionized this path, giving rise to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI, emerging as a category of “smart technologies” aims not just to amplify but to augment and sometimes replace human capabilities. This transformation has led to the proliferation of AI across various domains, reflecting an extension of human will to control and reshape various aspects of our environment. The historical perspective highlights AI’s development from Alan Turing’s initial explorations in the 1950s to the recent advancements in machine learning and neural networks. These technological strides demonstrate AI’s role in replicating and enhancing human cognition, a concept central to defining AI. The article “Artificial Intelligence – from idea to implementation. How AI can reshape the education landscape?” threads the history of AI through its pivotal moments, illustrating the evolution of AI from symbolic processing to current neural network-based learning systems.
The paper delves into the practical applications of AI, underscoring the importance of a human-computer partnership. This synergy is evident in various domains where AI complements human strengths and compensates for limitations. Google’s search engine, Wikipedia, and cybersecurity tools exemplify this symbiotic relationship, where AI enhances human capabilities in information retrieval, content creation, and threat detection. The discussion extends to the roles AI can assume, ranging from tools and assistants to equals and managers. This spectrum is illustrated through diverse applications, such as IBM Watson’s role in healthcare, chatbots in customer service, and autonomous vehicles in transportation. AI’s capacity to manage intellectual capital is also explored, exemplified by projects like CrowdForge and systems like Cogito. These examples highlight AI’s potential in optimizing workflows, task allocation, and enhancing human skills in various sectors. The paper argues for a thoughtful allocation of tasks between humans and AI, leveraging the strengths of each to create more effective systems.
The transformative potential of AI in education is a significant focus of the paper. It examines how AI and gamification can increase student engagement and knowledge retention, contributing to the evolution of pedagogical practices. The distinction between digitization and digitalization is emphasized, with the latter offering active user engagement through AI. The paper discusses the role of AI in facilitating personalized learning experiences, drawing on examples like AI-driven pedagogical agents and virtual assistants. These technologies can tailor educational content to individual student profiles, enhancing the learning process. The potential of AI in career advisory services is also explored, highlighting its ability to guide students in identifying and pursuing personalized career paths. The paper emphasizes the need for AI systems in education to be grounded in accurate knowledge bases and incorporate human expertise for oversight and correction.
Finally, the paper addresses the broader implications of AI beyond computing, considering its impact on economic, legal, and military domains. The multi-disciplinary approach of the research aims to contribute to the dialogue on AI’s role in society and its strategic deployment for societal well-being. It acknowledges the risks and challenges posed by AI, such as its misuse in platforms like Facebook, but contends that society will adapt and harness AI’s benefits as it has with other technological innovations. The paper advocates for the responsible integration of AI into various sectors, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI’s current impact and its potential future trajectory. This approach seeks to balance the excitement surrounding AI’s possibilities with a cautious awareness of its complexities and ethical considerations.
In conclusion, the paper presents a comprehensive overview of AI’s evolution, its role in human-machine interaction, and its transformative potential in education and broader societal domains. It calls for a balanced and responsible approach to harnessing AI’s capabilities, ensuring that its integration into various sectors enhances societal well-being while mitigating risks.
