The world is changing rapidly due to artificial intelligence (AI). Its adoption is skyrocketing in almost every single field. One area where AI is set to make a huge impact, and already has in some cases, is education.
AI in education promises better learning experiences, personalized instruction, and quicker ways to handle administrative tasks. But all the amazing possibilities that AI brings come with a trade-off, as the vast majority of data required for AI to function raises serious privacy concerns.
In this blog, we’ll look at the role of artificial intelligence in education and how to find the balance between its innovative promise and the need to protect user data.
Ready? Buckle up!
TL;DR
- AI has a lot to offer in education, from personalized instruction to gamified learning, administrative task management, and more.
- The AI systems used in education are heavily reliant on data. This raises questions about how data is stored, who may access it, and the potential ways it may be used or abused in the future.
- The risk of data breaches, exploitation, and constant surveillance are some of prime examples of privacy concerns associated with AI usage in education.
- By focusing on transparency, data encryption, user control, and regular audits, educational institutions can strike the balance between AI and privacy.
What is Artificial Intelligence in Education
Artificial intelligence in education (AIED) refers to the integration of AI technologies in the educational landscape to support educators, improve learning experiences, and streamline administrative work.
AI technologies, such as NLP, machine learning, robotics, and data analytics enable personalized learning by adjusting content and pacing to meet the unique needs of each student.
Additionally, the use of AI in education automates a number of repetitive administrative tasks. This allows educators to focus more on teaching and student engagement.
Summary: Artificial intelligence in education (AIED) leverages machine learning, NLP, data analytics, and robotics to support teaching and learning.
Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in Education
Using AI in education brings many new opportunities, like learning that fits each student, fun and exciting experiences, better student involvement, and automating tasks to make things easier.
i) AI Personalizes Education
AI provides a great way to tailor learning experiences. It can review the academic history of a student to deliver a curriculum that matches their unique needs, abilities, and pace.
ii) AI Creates Immersive Experiences
AI-powered technologies such as AR, VR, and MR simulate real-world scenarios and make it easy for students to understand abstract concepts that might otherwise be challenging.
iii) AI Gamifies Learning
Modern students have short attention spans. AI-powered gamified learning platforms keep them engaged and motivated through challenges, rewards, leaderboards, etc. This enhances their focus on learning objectives.
iv) AI Automates Various Tasks
Through automation, AI helps educators offload various time-consuming tasks like posting assignments, evaluating student progress, sending emails, identifying learning patterns, and more.
Summary: AI enhances personalized instruction, creates immersive AR/VR experiences, enables gamified learning, and automates educators’ tasks.
AI and the Privacy Dilemma
The use of artificial intelligence in education has significant privacy concerns. The AI systems used in education are heavily reliant on data. This often includes collecting sensitive information about students and educators, including their emotions, behaviors, online activities, attendance records, and even details like biometric data.
Not only is this data vast but also very private. It brings up questions about how it’s stored, who may access it, and the potential ways it may be used or abused in the future. Thus, there are genuine risks associated with the use of AI in academic settings that we should not ignore.
a) Data Breaches
Educational institutions collect enormous amounts of private information about students and learners, such as financial data, health records, behavioral patterns, and more. As AI applications demand access to this private data, the risk of data breaches is always there if it’s not managed properly.
For instance, Proctoru is an online exam proctoring service. When hackers accessed their platform, it led to a data breach that leaked user records for about 444,000 students.
b) Data Exploitation
It’s also possible that data collected by AI systems could be used for unintended purposes. For example, if the primary purpose of data collection is to provide personalized learning experiences, then AI-powered applications will surely gather student information ranging from their personal details to academic performance.
However, companies and organizations that have access to this data, such as edtech companies or third-party vendors and partners, might use that student data for marketing, research, and other non-educational activities. This gives rise to important questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical use of student information in educational settings.
c) Constant Surveillance
If the students are being continuously monitored, this will create a sense of constant surveillance among them. As a result, the students will start to think and behave differently. They would be less likely to speak freely.
According to a report from the National Association of State Boards of Education, constant monitoring can make students trust their schools less. They would also feel that the environment is not entirely safe for free expression.
Summary: The use of AI in education raises significant privacy concerns, including the risk of data breaches, exploitation, and constant surveillance. These issues can lead to a lack of trust, misuse of personal data, and an unsafe learning environment for students.
Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Privacy
AI has a lot of potential applications in the realm of education. However, privacy shouldn’t be sacrificed for the advantages it provides. The following tactics could assist educational organizations, including schools, in finding a balance between privacy and artificial intelligence.
i) Transparency in Data Practices
Have transparent rules in place about how data is collected and used. If you’re a school or university, you can communicate your data practices to students in a way that’s easy to understand. This will help students make informed choices when they are sharing their information. Thus, building trust and giving them control over their privacy rights.
ii) Data Encryption and Anonymization
Schools and universities should employ robust encryption techniques to protect student data. Similarly, they can leverage data anonymization which removes personally identifiable details from the datasets to reduce privacy risks. If you’re an educational institute, you can implement these measures to ensure the privacy and security of your student’s data.
iii) User Empowerment
Users should be able to manage their own data. Giving them control over data control helps find a delicate balance between the AI’s innovative promise and privacy concerns. You must have a clear consent mechanism in place where you obtain explicit approval from students and parents. Tell them how they can delete their information and change their privacy settings.
iv) Regular AI Audits
Regularly conduct audits for AI systems and their data handling processes. This is essential to help identify potential privacy risks and to ensure compliance with laws and regulations protecting user data.
Summary: By focusing on transparency, data encryption, user control, and regular audits, educational institutions can strike the balance between AI and privacy.
Conclusion
AI is ready to shape the future of education. As technology further develops, the role of AI in education is most likely to grow. To get the most out of it, we should minimize its risks by keeping privacy as our top priority. Only then will AI become the most valuable asset any educational institute can have.
