Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often used to transform all sectors that fall under the critical infrastructure umbrella, from education to transportation. AI can be a powerful tool in protecting critical infrastructures and a helpful ally in increasing innovation and boosting efficiency.
However, the use of AI in education has been hotly contested in recent years. While the public conversation on AI in education often focuses on the use of AI to write essays, bringing up concerns around plagiarism, academic integrity, and overreliance, AI can also be used in a multitude of different ways to helpfully transform learning, make education more accessible and inclusive, and support educators and students alike.
Despite valid concerns, AI offers innovative solutions to traditional challenges and can help transform the way students learn, and educators teach. The benefits can be plentiful when used thoughtfully and ethically, as defined by guidelines for responsible usage. So, how can AI assist in the education sector?
A Personalised Learning Experience
One of the most significant applications of AI in education is personalised learning. By analysing individual student data, AI-powered systems can tailor educational content to meet specific needs. These systems can adjust the difficulty level of assignments, provide real-time feedback, and recommend additional resources to help students progress at their own pace. Platforms like Coursera and Khan Academy are prime examples of how AI can create highly personalised learning experiences.
Similarly, predictive analytics is another valuable application of AI in education. By analysing large datasets, AI can predict student performance and identify those who may be at risk of falling behind. This enables educators to intervene early and provide targeted support to struggling students. Furthermore, predictive analytics can be used to forecast enrolment trends and resource needs, helping institutions plan for the future.
AI is also making education more accessible for students with disabilities. Tools like speech recognition and text-to-speech technology can help students with visual or auditory impairments access educational materials and participate in classroom activities. AI-powered virtual and augmented reality experiences can also create immersive and engaging learning environments, making complex subjects more accessible to students of all backgrounds.
AI For Educators: A Companion, Not A Foe
One of the biggest concerns about AI in education is the threat of job displacement. The increasing use of AI in the sector could lead to job losses for teachers and other education professionals. However, AI should be viewed as an ally, especially when it comes to efficiency.
By analysing large datasets, AI can provide valuable insights into teaching methods and learning outcomes. This data-driven approach can help educators to identify effective strategies, refine their teaching practices, and improve student achievement.
AI also streamlines administrative tasks, freeing educators to focus on teaching. Automated grading systems can quickly and accurately assess student work, providing detailed feedback on essays and other assignments. Platforms like Gradescope are widely used in higher education to improve the efficiency and quality of grading. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots can handle routine student enquiries, such as questions about enrolment, deadlines, and course requirements, reducing the administrative burden on faculty and staff.
Similarly, AI-driven intelligent tutoring systems are another powerful tool in the educator’s toolkit. These systems can provide students with personalised support outside the classroom, offering explanations, answering questions, and guiding them through complex concepts. Tools like MATHia and IBM’s Watson Tutor have demonstrated the effectiveness of AI-powered tutoring in enhancing student learning outcomes.
By harnessing these tools, educators can focus on developing compelling, informed teaching plans that engage and support all students.
Education and Cybersecurity
The education sector is consistently seen as a prime target for cybercriminals – and this shows no sign of changing. Due to the wealth of sensitive information held by educational institutions and a lack of resources, which often means cyber defences are lacking, cybercriminals often see educational institutions as easy but valuable targets. Research has shown that education is one of the industries that is attacked the most globally. In Q2 2024, the sector saw a 53% increase in threats year-on-year, with organisations (on average) being targeted 3,341 times per week. While AI likely has a significant role in attacks’ increasing complexity and ferocity, using AI-powered tools to detect, manage, and fight them is advised.
AI-powered cybersecurity tools can increase the speed of threat detection by rapidly processing vast amounts of data in real-time and identifying patterns and anomalies. This helps IT teams and business leaders swiftly take informed action. In the event of an attack, AI can be used to support incident response initiatives to quickly contain threats and aid investigations efficiently.
Moreover, harnessing AI proactively to combat cyber threats facing education institutions can be an important and cost-effective step. AI tools can provide educational institutions with adaptive security measures that can change along with the evolving threat landscape, ensuring that defences remain effective against modern threats.
Working in Tandem with AI
AI is transforming the education landscape, offering the potential to revolutionise how we learn and teach. By personalising instruction, automating tasks, and providing data-driven insights, AI empowers educators to create more effective and engaging learning experiences. As AI technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative applications that will shape the future of education.
What’s more, AI-powered cybersecurity measures can also provide educators with the peace of mind that their data is safe and secure, ensuring the smooth running of institutions, the protection of academic integrity, and the safety of students and staff alike.
