Opportunities and challenges of AI in higher education

Last updated on November 2nd, 2024

However, with the rise of AI technologies, many problem-solving solutions have spread globally; simultaneously, fear across the education area is also growing. Numerous concerns stand before the existing system of education. Many think that AI challenges global academic paradigms and questions the need for stable activities, courses, and employee positions in the educational sphere.

In our article, we will focus on challenges that arise because of AI and the opportunities and benefits it can bring. Adopted smoothly into the higher education process, AI has much to offer from many angles. For example, an AI checker GPT is one of the suitable and effective instruments for teachers and students. Read on to learn more.

Opportunities of AI

Despite the worries of many professionals in the area of education that artificial intelligence technologies can replace humans. There are, instead, many opportunities that this innovative technology brings. Let us consider them all.

AI tools for teaching content creation

Let us begin with the statement that some AI tools are handy, helping you do practical stuff. AI is widely used for content creation. Whether you need to generate some ideas or overcome writer’s block, AI tools are irreplaceable for achieving your goals. As a modern educator, you can use AI to create plenty of new learning activities, quizzes, tests, etc. AI is beneficial if you must create several lesson drafts or plans. After you get a great sketch of your perfect course lesson created by AI, you can add and adjust it to your vision and needs. Such an approach saves time.

AI is highly effective when it comes to content design. Whether you need to create a lesson presentation, curriculum and assignment manuals, rubrics, or more, you can use Chat GPT to develop great content for teaching. From the practical side, to create a lesson plan, for example, with Chat GPT, you need to provide the objectives you need to reach by creating this plan explaining some core ideas for the AI instrument.

AI applications for inclusivity and accessibility

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, many institutions, including educational establishments, have been using online technologies to increase access to knowledge for students who attend various types of learning courses from different parts of the Globe. One of the rules for transitioning from the regular way of education to the online way of teaching is creating an accessible learning environment that will be easy to use for anyone, no matter where they are located. Inclusion and equity are also key missions of many educational institutions. The core idea that explains the term accessibility when it comes to using artificial intelligence is that each student, regardless of background and abilities, has a right to get a meaningful and quality education. Artificial intelligence instruments have enough capacity to help educators fight such implementation challenges of ability and accessibility as geographical issues, overload with various tasks, insufficient space and time, analyzing the tasks, etc.

24/7 student support by AI 

AI instruments, available online, can answer students’ questions around the clock and reduce the need to involve real people in student support. It also reduces problems related to time zones because some online learners are situated in various countries. Implementing and constantly testing artificial intelligence tools makes them more and more helpful and can serve multiple needs, solving more and more complicated tasks.

Current AI challenges

Now, you have read about countless benefits that can be brought by artificial intelligence. Regardless, there are some concerns that also must be considered in terms of implementing AI tools into the educational process.

Non-checked or false information 

Non-checked or false information is one of the issues that can relate to using artificial intelligence tools in education. AI is trained on specific data, and some of them can carry biases, and as a result, the results may be non-checked or false. It could influence the principles of equality and fairness in education, and it is easy for artificial intelligence to create plausible facts. Information created by artificial intelligence and content generated with its help can be unreliable and can make it challenging to evaluate the results of work with artificial intelligence.

Data privacy and AI

Many concerns related to artificial intelligence appear because of the issues with data protection. Privacy challenges associated with AI in higher education are appearing because artificial intelligence must collect all information to give a needed result. Some of this information can be sensitive. Undoubtedly, not all students can share personal data with artificial intelligence. Some of the information provided by teachers to artificial intelligence can also relate to sensitive information about their students that can touch, for example, their GPA or academic performance and behavioral aspects. To overcome such issues, educational establishments must purposefully collect information to work with artificial intelligence and not misuse these data.

Employment issues

Integrating AI tools into higher education can become an issue because of potential job displacement for educational establishments. Many institutes and colleges discuss ethical concerns related to employment and the overall psychological atmosphere in working communities. Fighting these issues may start with a proper evaluation of the need to use artificial intelligence and replace workers’ functions with Ain tools.

How do we embrace AI potential? 

Summing up, let us consider some ideas of how to embrace the positive aspects of AI use in higher education and simultaneously reduce the challenges it brings.

First and foremost, focus on digital literacy. Training for students and teachers is a great way to use AI tools for exemplary purposes and make it effective. For example, when used correctly and fairly, Chat GPT is a great way to create amazing things and enjoy AI technology’s opportunities. Properly setting goals before using AI, accurate evaluation, and access to the tools make the technology very effective and not harmful to any side of the learning process.

We believe that after reading our article, you realize that artificial intelligence has lots of potential, and, properly used, it can have many positive impacts on higher education. We wish you good luck in your educational efforts.