Can AI Bridge the Gaps in Higher Ed?

As tech innovations become commonplace in classrooms from the grade school level all the way through universities, it’s only a matter of time before artificial intelligence finds its role in education. We’ve written before on AI’s power to personalize learning for large groups and to empower educators and administrators to tailor lessons to meet students’ exact needs. We’ve written about the importance of introducing AI in the classroom to prepare students for leadership in our increasingly automated world. And we’ve written about the value of AI in improving classroom accommodations in higher-ed institutions.

But what if AI has another power in higher education? What if it could start to bridge the socioeconomic gaps between students, leveling the playing field to give everyone a chance to reach their full potential?

We recently read about a blockchain-based chatbot designed to help students in the UK pass crucial exams and develop the content skills they need to make a smooth transition from high school to college.

Digitally available to students at all times, its role is to provide a “customized learning experience” for pupils during their national examinations. As an example, it highlights GCSEs and A-levels, which are commonly taken at the ages of 16 and 18 in the U.K.

Powered by AI and machine learning, it is hoped that the chatbot will give personalized support to suit the different speeds and methods of which people learn. While richer families are able to invest in expensive private tuition for their children, Õpet believes this chatbot could offer effective revision while cutting the cost between 90 and 95 percent.

–       Connor Blenkinsop, Cointelegraph

Here at Quantified, we love the notion of making customized, AI-driven learning experiences accessible to all students, providing them with state-of-the-art resources and empowering them to learn on their terms and on their time.

So what if more universities started offering self-paced, AI-driven lessons as part of their curricula?

These programs could give students who may not be able to afford a full, on-campus course load the freedom to supplement with world-class educational resources, with the flexibility they need to shape their own progress in critical skills and content areas. They could adapt their lessons based on whether they’re visual or auditory learners, and they could spend more time on tougher content while breezing through concepts they’ve already grasped, all the while receiving personalized, expert feedback, insights, and recommendations for improvement.

For many students for whom four-year colleges and traditional graduate programs are out of reach, AI-based programs and program supplements may offer the perfect solution, providing quality education without the stringent schedules and exorbitant price tags.