In a remarkable fusion of technology and education, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is pioneering a new approach to teaching by using AI lecturers, featuring personalities like Albert Einstein and popular anime characters. This innovative endeavor is transforming the educational landscape, offering students an immersive and engaging learning experience.
The project is led by Professor Pan Hui, the Chair Professor of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST. The primary aim is to address the global shortage of teachers and harness the power of AI in education. However, Hui is quick to clarify that AI lecturers are not intended to replace human instructors. Instead, they are envisioned as valuable supplements, providing diverse perspectives and novel teaching methods.
In this groundbreaking initiative, students don virtual reality (VR) headsets to attend lectures delivered by an AI-generated Albert Einstein, who elucidates the complexities of game theory. The integration of VR technology provides a unique and captivating experience, transporting students to a pavilion above the clouds, where they can engage with the renowned physicist.
The AI lecturers are not merely confined to visual representations. The technology extends to customizing voices, gestures, and even ethnicities. This level of personalization allows for tailored presentations, enhancing student engagement and fostering a more approachable learning environment.
Moreover, the introduction of AI lecturers relieves human instructors from mundane tasks, enabling them to focus on more interactive and personalized aspects of teaching. Students have expressed their appreciation for this approach, as it narrows the gap between them and their professors, creating a more personalized and interactive learning experience.
The impact of AI in education is not limited to HKUST. Universities across Hong Kong are embracing AI to varying degrees, recognizing its potential to revolutionize the educational process. However, a survey conducted by University of Hong Kong professor Cecilia Chan revealed that students still prefer human teachers. This preference is attributed to the unique experiences and empathetic feedback that human teachers can provide.
Undeterred by this preference, HKUST is committed to further integrating AI into its educational framework. The university has allocated millions of funds for this purpose and has introduced an "AI Ambassador" to facilitate campus-wide AI integration. The goal is to elevate the student learning experience to unprecedented heights.
The use of AI in education is a global trend, with institutions worldwide exploring its possibilities. For instance, the Harvard Graduate School of Education is advocating for the embrace of AI in the classroom. In a recent article, the school emphasized the importance of engaging with generative AI tools alongside students, when possible, or sharing AI-generated responses to questions during class.
AI's role in education is not without its challenges and concerns. The U.S. Department of Education, in a report titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations," underlined the need for rigorous oversight of AI's output. Monitoring is crucial not only for ensuring accuracy but also for providing real-time feedback, which is vital for refining and improving the AI system.
Despite these challenges, the potential of AI in education is vast and promising. It can offer personalized learning, where the AI system adapts to each student's individual needs, providing targeted instruction based on their strengths and weaknesses. AI can also serve as a tutor, gauging a student's learning style and pre-existing knowledge to deliver customized support.
In addition, AI can assist with grading, not only by using an answer key but also by compiling data about student performance and grading more abstract assessments like essays. AI can provide meaningful and immediate feedback to students, allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them in a comfortable environment. It can also help identify areas where students are struggling, enabling educators to deliver targeted improvements in materials and methods.
AI can also contribute to administrative tasks, automating processes to free up time for teachers. This can allow teachers to focus more on their students and less on paperwork. AI can also help with scheduling, facilities management, and overall school management, powering student records systems, transportation, IT, maintenance, and more.
The future of education with AI is a topic of much debate. Some fear that AI could lead to a loss of human connection in education or could be used to control students. Others, like Professor Hui, are optimistic about AI's potential to provide students with the help and materials they need for a better, albeit different, education.
Regardless of the differing viewpoints, it is clear that AI is set to play an increasingly significant role in education. As Professor Hui's project at HKUST demonstrates, AI can be used to create engaging, immersive, and personalized learning experiences. It can also assist teachers, freeing them from administrative tasks and allowing them to focus more on their students.
However, as the U.S. Department of Education's report emphasizes, it is crucial to maintain rigorous oversight of AI's output and to use AI in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, the educational experience. As we move forward into this new era of machine intelligence in education, it will be important to navigate the challenges and risks, while also embracing the promises and opportunities that AI can bring.
In conclusion, the use of AI lecturers at HKUST is a significant step forward in the integration of AI in education. It is a testament to the potential of AI to transform the way we teach and learn, offering exciting and innovative possibilities for the future of education.