Picture this: A classroom where Artificial Intelligence is a welcomed partner rather than shunned. Sounds futuristic? It’s not. It’s the new world of education, and it’s knocking on our doors. But not everyone’s ready to answer.

There’s a growing tug-of-war between progress and tradition in the education sector. On one side, we have proponents of AI, particularly generative AI, including both large language models like OpenAI’s generative AI as well as image generators like MidJourney. On the other side, we have academia, which is rallying against generative AI for fear that it will undermine the integrity of education. 

Ironically, academics are committing a significant logical fallacy here, creating what is effectively a straw man argument. They tend to focus on the fact that students can use generative AI for outright plagiarism (i.e. copying-and-pasting answers from ChatGPT, sometimes even with the “As a language model…” disclaimer laughably still included for assignments).

Everyone would agree that this use case is wrong. Unfortunately, because of this focus, educators are deploying AI detectors in an attempt to sniff out this content and call it a day on all AI in education, which is simply short-sighted. 

In actuality, there are an infinite number of use cases for generative AI in education beyond this regrettable one that the headlines are neglecting. This is where organisations in the startup ecosystem can step in. As tech companies, we can nudge educators to think outside the box by embracing AI.

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I refer to tech companies broadly here: This can be companies in edutech, companies that may have ed-tech use cases, and even the generative AI companies themselves, who have native applications for learning in their out-of-the-box product.

It’s important to celebrate how these companies are deploying AI for education to widen the discourse on how generative AI can help students learn. Broadening the discussion will help accelerate the adoption of AI in the classroom. 

Highlighting use cases to socialise AI in the classroom 

Let’s take a look at some of these novel applications. 

While Canva is, of course, not an edutech, students can use its design platform for a variety of purposes, such as crafting interactive presentations, customising images for their assignments, or initiating drafts for their blogs. What makes Canva unique is the way it employs AI technology to generate tailored designs based on a short description or a reference picture.

The platform’s Magic Write function broadens its offerings beyond graphics. It’s capable of producing both concise and detailed texts, making it a versatile tool for presentations, website content, or social media posts. Moreover, the Magic Replace feature comes in handy for student organisations aiming to maintain consistency in their brand assets across all designs.

In the more strictly edutech space, there is Anthology. Anthology’s Intelligent Experiences (iX) uses generative AI to integrate data from various educational platforms, delivering personalised, intelligent insights for students and educators.

Their AI-supported course-building tools can suggest course outlines, formulate test questions, and even design grading rubrics. The objective isn’t to replace teachers with AI but to assist educators in shifting from repetitive tasks to more impactful student engagement.

Anthology’s partnership with Microsoft highlights its commitment to integrating generative AI into its edutech offerings. However, what truly distinguishes Anthology is its Trustworthy AI Framework. This framework aims to guide the use of AI responsibly, harmonising its groundbreaking potential with essential ethical safeguards.

And, of course, there are generative AI tools themselves. For example, ChatGPT can aid in initial research, offering insights on various topics to kick-start learning. It assists in brainstorming by generating diverse ideas, and it’s useful for test prep, explaining complex concepts, and simulating potential exam questions. 

Also Read: Adobe Firefly aims to unlock AI’s potential for effortless design

Despite concerns, it’s crucial to recognise the potential of Artificial Intelligence in education by discussing these diverse applications, however early in their life cycle, rather than just focusing on edge cases. 

AI is not a threat but an aid to educators, capable of improving personalisation, comprehension, and efficiency for all students. 

Resistance might be a natural response, but progress is inevitable. Organisations must champion how AI can help students so that schools and universities can embrace this technology with a more progressive attitude. This task may be slightly afield of their core product marketing, but it’s one that must be done.

After all, AI for education is not about offloading our thinking to robots. It’s about building a base of more educated citizens, which will only help companies at the forefront of technology.

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Image credit: Abobe Firefly

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