7 Benefits of AI in Education

• By David Karandish
• 06/23/21

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are key drivers of growth and innovation across all industries, and the education sector is no different. According to eLearning Industry, upwards of 47% of learning management tools will be enabled with AI capabilities in the next three years.

While AI-powered solutions have been in the EdTech space for some time, the industry has been slow to adopt them. However, the pandemic drastically shifted the landscape, forcing educators to rely on technology for virtual learning. Now, 86% of educators say technology should be a core part of education. AI has the power to optimize both learning and teaching, helping the education sector evolve to better benefit students and teachers alike. 

AI Benefits for Students

When we break it down, a student’s goal is simple: obtain a degree or diploma proving their knowledge. AI can help students achieve this goal by streamlining the education process. By providing access to the right courses, improving communication with teachers and freeing up more time to focus on other aspects of life, AI can make a significant impact on the students’ educational journey. A few examples are:

• Personalization: Personalization is one of the biggest trends in education. With the use of AI, students now have a personalized approach to learning programs based on their own unique experiences and preferences. AI can adapt to each student’s level of knowledge, speed of learning and desired goals so they’re getting the most out of their education. Plus, AI-powered solutions can analyze students’ previous learning histories, identify weaknesses and offer courses best suited for improvement, providing many opportunities for a personalized learning experience.

• Tutoring: While it’s not uncommon for students to require extra help outside of the classroom, many teachers don’t have the free time for students after hours. AI tutors and chatbots are a perfect solution in these scenarios. While no chatbot can truly replace an educator, AI tools can help students sharpen their skills and improve weak spots outside of the classroom. They provide a one-on-one learning experience without having the teacher there to answer questions at all hours of the day. In fact, an AI-powered chatbot can answer student questions at a response rate of 2.7 seconds.

• Quick responses: There is nothing more frustrating than asking a question only to have it answered three days later. Teachers and faculty are often bombarded with repetitive questions on a daily basis. AI can help students find answers to their most commonly asked questions in seconds through support automation and conversational intelligence. Not only does this free up a lot of time for educators, but it also helps students spend less time tracking down answers or waiting for a response to their questions. 

• Universal 24/7 access to learning: AI-powered tools make learning accessible for all students, anytime and anywhere. Each student learns at their own pace, and 24/7 access makes it easier for students to explore what works for them without waiting on an educator. Additionally, students from all over the world can gain access to high-quality education without incurring traveling and living expenses.

AI Benefits for Educators

Most teachers and faculty aren’t afraid to admit they struggle with time management, which is understandable given the number of tasks on their daily to-do lists. Educators want to spend more time educating students one-on-one, diving into research and continuing their own education, but don’t have the availability to do so. AI can help free up educators’ time by automating tasks, analyzing student performance and closing the educational gap. Here’s how:

• Personalization: Just as AI can personalize students’ learning courses, it can do the same for educators. By analyzing the students’ learning abilities and history, AI can give teachers a clear picture of which subjects and lessons need to be reevaluated. This analysis allows teachers to create the best learning program for all students. By analyzing each student's specific needs, teachers and professors can adjust their courses to address the most common knowledge gaps or challenge areas before a student falls too far behind.

• Answering questions: With access to a school’s entire knowledge base, AI-powered chatbots can answer a variety of generic and repetitive questions students typically ask without involving a faculty member. In bypassing the educator, AI leaves more time for them to focus on lesson planning, curriculum research or improving student engagement. 

• Task automation: The power of AI can automate the most mundane of tasks, including administrative work, grading papers, assessing learning patterns, replying to general questions and more. According to a Telegraph survey, teachers spend 31% of their time planning lessons, grading tests and doing administrative work. However, with support automation tools, teachers can automate manual processes, leaving more time to focus on teaching core competencies.

From online textbooks to fully remote lectures, the advancements in edtech are ten-fold. Today, AI plays a role in helping students and teachers optimize and automate both learning and teaching tasks. As the AI industry expands, and innovation is at the forefront, we’ll see improved learning outcomes for all students and educators.