How AI is Transforming Education: The Potential and Safeguards

The Potential of AI in Education

Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, a free online learning nonprofit responsible for teaching over 130 million students, recognized the potential of AI to transform education when he gained access to OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology in 2022. However, he also acknowledged that this new technology could potentially be used for cheating.

That’s why, when Khan Academy released its GPT-powered tutor called Khanmigo in March 2023, they had implemented several safeguards to prevent students from using it as a cheating tool. The features allowed teachers to control the information students can ask the bot and included automated monitoring to flag inappropriate usage.

The Evolution of Learning and Teaching

While the internet has long been a resource for cheating, Khan believes that AI will fundamentally change the concept of learning and teaching. With the help of AI bots, the process of writing essays will transform. Instead of simply submitting an essay, students will have bots acting as their writing coach, providing feedback and guidance throughout the process.

These AI bots could deliver the final essay to the teacher, along with information on the process the student and the bot went through to craft the thesis statement. This data could include details like the time taken and the number of other students who struggled with similar writing elements.

Khan emphasizes that essays will always have value, but the means of assessment may change. He suggests alternative formats such as simulations, conversations, or interviews to ensure that students are using accurate information.

Khan Academy’s Impact on Education

Khan Academy, established in 2006, initially aimed to teach math to a remote student. Over the years, the organization has provided free education to millions of students via the internet in various subjects. Last year, Khan Academy partnered with OpenAI’s GPT-4 to launch Khanmigo, an AI tutor.

This development in education holds significance not just for e-learners, but also for parents and children in American public schools. Khan is currently in talks with school districts to provide “hundreds of thousands, if not millions” of children with access to Khanmigo for day-to-day learning.

Khan believes that Khanmigo has the potential to go beyond the traditional role of a tutor, and they continue to explore new possibilities in AI-driven education.

Source: Khan Academy’s founder says AI ‘coaches’ will soon submit essays to teachers instead of students