This week, the UK is playing host to the world's first AI Safety Summit, a pivotal event that prompts us to ponder several critical questions. It's clear that artificial intelligence (AI) has already become an integral part of our daily lives, and its role in education is rapidly expanding.
Are we ready? Do we understand enough about the potential of AI, the opportunity...and the risks? Could AI and adaptive learning algorithms be the key to delivering the holy grail – personalised learning at scale?
We’re already seeing AI being used to streamline assessment processes, providing faster and more reliable feedback. For generating and augmenting content. Of course, we will still need humans. But there’s clearly a huge opportunity for AI to reduce the workload for an already over-stretched workforce in further and higher education.
To harness the potential of AI to deliver these types of advancements, we clearly need people with the competencies and skills to understand, develop, and deploy AI technologies and tools.
But to get real for a second - AI skills are the tip of a very big and slow-moving iceberg. The wider digital skills gap is already a huge problem here in the UK.
Today, almost 60% of the UK’s workforce (23.4 million people) is unable to do all 20 digital tasks that industry and government have defined as essential for work. As the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully MP said earlier this year: “We talk a lot about making the UK a science and technology superpower by 2030… but it means nothing if you do not have the customer or the skills base to use the products, never mind produce them in the first place.”
With the half-life of technical skills estimated at just 2.5 years - it’s clear we need wholesale change. So how do we keep up? At the FE Collective event earlier this month, much of the discussion focused on the need to develop learner attitudes and behaviours, as well as competencies. Digital mindsets and a culture of continuous learning, as well as specific digital skills.
Here at Tahdah, we are already seeing a lot of demand for modularised learning, where educational programs are broken down into shorter, more focused e-learning courses and micro-credentials. In the future, will we see credentials awarded for verified skills and competencies rather than just traditional achievements and qualifications? We believe so, and are certainly seeing a lot of demand for tools like the Living CV.
It’s clear that whatever happens, the future of education is going to involve constant re-skilling and up-skilling. Not just formal qualifications, but short courses, certifications, and other skills acquired throughout one's career. Data will be more important than ever - AI and machine learning is already being used to analyse labour market trends and forecast in-demand skills, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment.
So is the future of education all about AI? Yes, and no. Clearly, AI has the potential to transform education. It's already happening. But the biggest challenge for educators, government, and industry right now is to bridge existing skills gaps while understanding these skills will constantly evolve and change. To up-skill the existing workforce, while simultaneously preparing the learners of tomorrow.
The tools and technologies to do this already exist. Does the will, and just as importantly, the funding? We may not be there just yet. But with changes on the horizon and pockets of global innovation from which to draw inspiration...there is ample reason for optimism.
What do you think? We'd love to hear your thoughts - to join the discussion, get in touch on LinkedIn.
