By Neil Heffernan, Worcester Polytechnic University Shared scientific instruments help address big challenges in research. The Hubble Space Telescope has helped hundreds of astronomers do studies that none of them could have done if they had to also build the instrument they use. Physicists benefit from shared particle accelerators that are expensive to build and…

What does the field of CSCL (computer-supported collaborative learning) have to say to the problem that the World Economic Forum estimates that up to 5 million jobs may be lost to disruptive labor changes by 2020? We suggest an answer that is designed to enable embedding collaborative learning opportunities within project work.

For many millennia, adult learning has primarily consisted of interactions with human mentors, tutors, teachers, and peers. During the last 25 years, these communicative actions and interactions have been simulated by computer agents in learning environments that have often shown significant learning gains.

The rapid progress of Machine Learning AI that has been built in our human image brings into stark relief the need for us to re-conceptualise Human Intelligence (HI) for an AI augmented world. We have built smart machines in our own intelligent image and these machines can now complete some of the intelligent activities that have traditionally been valued in our education systems, such as passing exams through memorizing and applying knowledge.

One of the ultimate goals of education is to effectively prepare students for long-term career and workforce success. Most existing intelligent systems in education focus on tutoring for specific academic subjects and deliver personalized learning on a relatively short timescale. As we face an ever-changing 21st century job market due to increased automation and AI technologies, it is more important and challenging than ever to deliver learning and mentorship that leads to long-term success in the workforce. In my webinar, I discuss some of the unique challenges presented by this goal as well as promising approaches that can address the challenges and move us closer to building effective, workforce-driven intelligent mentoring systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) gets quite a lot of bad press. It is understood by few and feared by many. It is overhyped through media, sci-fi movies and eye-watering financial investments by the tech giants (LINK), and increasingly – governments. As such AI does not yet sit comfortably with many who care about human development and wellbeing, or social justice and prosperity.

The recent paper “Pedagogical Agents: Back to the Future” by Dr. Lewis Johnson of Alelo Inc. and Professor James Lester of North Carolina State University reviews the history and likely future of pedagogical agents, which are autonomous, interactive computer-based characters that engage in rich, face-to-face interactions with learners.

Education and training is one industry where AI is starting to play important roles. What impact will AI have on education and training in the future? Will teachers be replaced by algorithms? Or is AI going to empower both learners and teachers?

To provide insight into the promise and potential of this new technology, Alelo offers a webinar series on the Future of AI in Education. We will look at the impact of AI on the experience of learners and teachers, the education and training industry, and the global economy. Seminar speakers will include Alelo experts as well as other thought leaders in the global community of artificial intelligence in education.