Future Of Education: AI-infused Curriculum

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education is an inevitable reality and it's crucial to envision what the future curriculum might look like as this technology becomes more prevalent. SDG 4 and NEP are working towards ensuring quality education and learning opportunities for all. While the road ahead is long and various disciplines must collaborate to implement AI in schools effectively, the potential benefits are significant.

Dr Ajit Sabnis, Director, AuroSchools, highlighted the crucial role of AI in education, emphasising its potential to either enhance or hinder individual abilities. He discussed the need for discretion in utilising AI tools, citing examples such as the Gamma app for PPT creation. He pointed out that the focus is on maintaining the balance between technological assistance and holistic education, as outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. Sabnis stressed the importance of the age-appropriate introduction of AI, avoiding premature pressure on children's cognitive development. He underscored the necessity of fostering cognitive faculties like observation, reasoning and imagination alongside AI integration. Overall, Sabnis advocated for a cautious and balanced approach to AI utilisation in education, preserving children's innate curiosity and creativity.

Sabnis highlighted the importance of focus and adaptability in the 21st century. He emphasised the necessity of schools fostering these skills, stressing the crucial role of faculty development in nurturing concentration abilities. He pointed out the need to address the assumption of a 40-minute attention span as a pivotal issue at the school level.

“Education is a process that begins after formal education. It's a long way to go. A lot of disciplines get involved in implementing AI in schools. If this is decided today, we need to find the curriculum, frameworks, national framework and textbooks by that time,” he added.

Dr Veda Bysani, Vice President - Academics, Orchids The International School, Bangalore, emphasised the necessity of balancing human expertise with technological advancements, highlighting the importance of digital literacy for educators and ethical awareness for students. She acknowledged the inevitability of AI integration into daily life, noting the trend of younger generations becoming proficient with technology. Bysani stressed the need for clear understanding and careful implementation of AI, focussing on leveraging its capabilities while retaining critical thinking skills among humans. She agrees with the significance of problem-solving and critical thinking, affirming that these skills remain within the human domain despite AI advancements. Bysani emphasised the ongoing need for human guidance and intervention in utilising AI effectively.

Alice Abraham, President, The Impact Group of Institutions, emphasised the potential of AI to personalise learning by identifying and addressing individual differences in students, something often challenging for teachers in traditional classrooms. She suggests that AI, through machine learning, can leverage vast amounts of data more efficiently than humans, enhancing decision-making and personalisation. She advocates for AI's role in adapting curriculum development to meet the evolving needs of a digital age, citing examples from her own experience in engineering education. She acknowledged the need for infrastructure changes and digital literacy enhancement in institutions to effectively utilise AI. She clarifies that not all AI solutions are suitable for education, emphasising the importance of selecting appropriate tools tailored to educational objectives.

Abraham emphasised the importance of digital literacy, the ability to work with devices aligned with the NEP and insights from thought leaders. “AI is an enabler for the future, for a better path. It is not changing; it is knowledge that is changing, but just making sure that the child can consume that knowledge and therefore become more knowledgeable,” she added.

Dr Malini M Dutta, Principal, BGS National Public School, underscored the importance of balancing the benefits and pitfalls of AI integration in education. She stressed the necessity of carefully determining the appropriate level of AI introduction across different grade levels. Dutta emphasises that while AI can enhance learning, it's crucial for educators to design the curriculum with AI modules that support cognitive development. Addressing ethical concerns, she advocated for transparency, accountability and clear guidelines on AI usage to mitigate vulnerabilities. Dutta highlights the need to maintain balance within the educational ecosystem to ensure positive outcomes for students.

Dutta quantifies the integration of AI into the curriculum, proposing that it should currently constitute over 26 per cent and potentially increase to 46 per cent by 2040. She stresses the importance of aligning AI integration with the appropriate class levels and age groups. “Transparency, accountability and the feasibility of moving in a positive direction are good enough to balance it inside the class,” she added.

The academicians were present at the NexGen Edu Summit 2024, organised by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education in association with BW Education, on 29 April 2024 in Bangalore.