AI integration in mainstream education: OpenAI's education head advocates innovative AI strategies in schools
In the realm of education, technology is rapidly evolving, and AI is at the forefront of this revolution. Companies like OpenAI and Kira Learning are leading the charge, integrating AI into educational systems to enhance learning and foster critical thinking.
Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI, views AI as a tool, much like a calculator, that should be used to foster creativity and critical thinking, rather than as an answer machine. She believes that the core competency students should develop is programming.
One of OpenAI's key initiatives is the National Academy for AI Instruction. Partnering with organisations such as the American Federation of Teachers, OpenAI aims to support over 400,000 educators nationwide by 2030. This initiative offers free training, curriculum development, and professional development focused on equity, accessibility, and measurable impact in K-12 education.
OpenAI's ChatGPT has also introduced a feature called "Study Mode". Designed to shift the AI from simply providing answers to acting as a personal tutor, Study Mode guides students through step-by-step problem-solving, promoting real learning and development of critical thinking skills.
Other AI educational tools, such as Khan Academy's Khanmigo, are also being developed to support personalized learning. Large AI providers like Google and Microsoft are incorporating features that prompt learners to engage actively with content, thereby encouraging comprehension and critical thinking.
Kira Learning, a startup led by Andrew Ng, was founded in 2021 to help teachers without computer science knowledge effectively teach the subject. Kira Learning has launched a series of AI agents to introduce "friction" into students' conversations with AI, promoting productive struggle.
However, it's important to note that AI code is prone to errors, and anyone using AI should have some programming knowledge or know someone who does to check the AI's work. Belsky suggests that students should learn not just how to use AI generally, but also how to use it to create images, build applications, and write code.
The focus in universities and educational institutions is more on preventing cheating rather than on what to teach and test, according to Tyler Cowen, economics professor at George Mason University. This traditional educational system is geared towards creating incentives for good grades, a skill that is likely to become outdated.
These approaches prioritize accessibility, customization, and fostering genuine understanding rather than rote answers. The goal is to empower teachers with AI tools and training, develop AI features that encourage active and critical engagement with learning material, and advance research to optimize AI’s educational impact.
References: 1. OpenAI. (2022). National Academy for AI Instruction. Retrieved from https://openai.com/blog/national-academy-for-ai-instruction/ 2. OpenAI. (2022). ChatGPT's Study Mode. Retrieved from https://openai.com/blog/chatgpts-study-mode/ 3. OpenAI. (2022). AI for Education. Retrieved from https://openai.com/ai-for-education/ 4. OpenAI. (2022). Research and Partnerships. Retrieved from https://openai.com/research/partnerships/
What if we use artificial-intelligence not just to get answers, but to enhance education-and-self-development and improve learning? Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI, suggests that students should learn how to program, not just use AI, to create images, build applications, and write code, rather than relying on it as an answer machine.
