AI and Education — Managing Innovation Responsibly
On 21 May 2024, Access Academia organised an online discussion panel on artificial intelligence (AI) and education with notable scholars Dr. Caitlin Bentley, Senior Lecturer in AI Education at King’s College London, and Professor Stephen Pettifer, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Manchester. Moderated by Christoffer Koch Anderson, PhD Candidate in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies at the University of Cambridge, the discussion navigated through the multifaceted world of education and its deeply intertwined nature with AI, exploring the challenges brought on by the rise of large language and AI models worldwide.
Professor Pettifer began by pointing out that while AI is revolutionising our habits, this kind of technological upheaval isn’t unprecedented. The world has witnessed similar transformations with the advent of Wikipedia, the Internet, calculators, photocopiers, and even books. Each disruptive technology has sparked polarised reactions but has ultimately been integrated into society. However, Pettifer underscored the unique challenges AI presents due to its inherent biases and inequalities. He emphasised that, unlike previous technologies, AI requires us to critically examine the ethical and social implications of its use to ensure it doesn’t perpetuate existing disparities.
Continuing on this note, Dr. Bentley stressed the need for a vision centred on responsible AI education. She highlighted the potential of AI to make learning more accessible, efficient, and personalised, offering new opportunities to democratise education. Yet, she warned of the risks posed by AI technologies that are unsafe, unaccountable, and biased, which could lead to significant mistakes and exacerbate inequalities. Bentley argued that AI should be leveraged to enhance human capabilities and actively transform realities rather than simply replacing human roles within educational, governmental, and economic systems. Moreover, she drew attention to the environmental impact of AI, questioning whether some AI technologies are even necessary or should be developed at all.
The discussion further delved into the commercial pressures influencing AI’s role in education. Dr. Bentley criticised how education is increasingly being viewed through the lens of neoliberal market ideologies, where technology is commercialised and monetised, creating a business environment driven by surveillance and dominated by a few massive corporations. These dynamics, she argued, raise significant barriers for more equitable and diverse AI models to emerge, limiting the potential for AI to be a truly democratising force in education.
Professor Pettifer added that, from a computer science perspective, there is often a narrow focus on optimising AI as a tool, with little consideration for its broader societal implications. He highlighted the difficulty of understanding AI’s inherent biases and the complexities involved in making these models transparent and accountable. AI, he noted, is often perceived as a ‘mysterious blob of numbers,’ making it challenging for the public to grasp its workings, biases, and the destinations of their data.
Both speakers agreed on the need for increased AI literacy among the general public, arguing that it is not solely the responsibility of computer scientists but rather a collective societal duty to engage critically with AI. Dr. Bentley advocated for an intersectional perspective on AI, integrating diverse fields of study and understanding how different power relations, historical contexts, and socio-political factors shape the development and implementation of AI technologies.
The panel concluded with a call to action for a more ethical, sustainable, and intersectional approach to AI in the future. Dr. Bentley emphasised the importance of participatory and collaborative teaching methods that foster solidarity and self-reflection among educators and students alike. She urged for a shift away from viewing education as an individual endeavour towards a more collective aspiration, where AI and humanity work together to fulfil shared goals and desires.
This article is written by student, Anusha Ghua.