Education and Daily Life
By Ana Dondoni | News | Marcch 4, 2024
Cover Illustration: 3D render of AI and GPU processors, 2023. Igor Omilaev / Unsplash
Culture Reporter Ana Clara Dondoni Braz looks at the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence, reflecting on their impact in education and daily life.
Is AI the future of learning? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already transformed teaching and learning methods, offering solutions to significant challenges such as teacher shortages and imbalances in educational access across geographic and economic divides. Rapid technological advancements do, however, always come with plenty of dangers and challenges.
While ChatGPT remains a favored tool for many, it’s 2024, and the landscape of AI tools has expanded considerably. Countless other productivity AI tools, including Jasper, Descript and Motion, offer exciting possibilities waiting to be explored.
The increasing employment of AI across various industries and the consequent abundance of new tools has radically changed the dynamics of productivity, innovation and overall creativity. The education industry is particularly noteworthy as a field heavily impacted by AI’s widespread effects. Teachers and students can access a range of options as technology expands and changes, significantly reshaping the educational environment. The use of AI tools in the field promises improved learning outcomes and increased administrative efficiency, reflecting the larger trend of technological developments in education.
In the Netherlands, some schools are embracing this educational revolution instead of avoiding the inevitable. The Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR) is the first school in the country to implement AI in its classroom in different manners. The adoption focuses on using AI as a research and comparative tool, rather than a quick fix, and aims to preserve the importance of human intelligence. Students at the Rotterdam-based school are taught to investigate the shortcomings of AI, remain skeptical and recognize the value of their own intellect. In this way, human and artificial intelligence can complement each other.
In Amsterdam, the government asserts the city’s readiness for the future by actively engaging specialists to examine the impact of technology. These experts then translate their findings into actionable guidelines and strategic investments. Collaboratively, efforts are made to enhance Amsterdam’s livability and resilience. Key areas of focus for this initiative include technology, digitalization, mobility and sustainability, all crucial elements for building a vibrant and future-proof urban environment.
When it comes to the University of Amsterdam, numerous lecturers see the potential that AI offers. The UvA Teaching & Learning Centre (TLC) organized a joint conference on the role of AI and ChatGPT in education at the UvA. Likewise, AI courses are currently being offered for students to register.
The university intends to update instructional content and evaluation requirements at both the academic and institutional levels. A task group has further been established in partnership with the Vrije Universiteit to successfully predict and respond to future developments. However, the institutional regulation of AI tools is still ongoing. Concerns persist regarding plagiarism, raising concerns about the authenticity of students’ assignments.
Continuous technological advancements reshape our world beyond education. This is exemplified by the latest innovations such as Apple’s Vision Pro, released in the United States on Feb. 2, 2024, boasting groundbreaking AI capabilities alongside its immersive entertainment experience. Marketed under the slogan “an immersive way to experience entertainment,” the Vision Pro integrates advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to tailor content distribution and improve user engagement. Although it is pricey and far from perfect, plenty of users have purchased it and shared their experiences on social media platforms. Even so, as with any device of its caliber, the device’s complex functionality and networking needs may raise privacy and data security issues.
There are also groundbreaking AI tools emerging to increase productivity, like Vidnoz AI. The tool fosters easy generation of professional-looking videos in one minute, offering over 300 customized avatars and the capacity to change audio across 140 languages. Yet, some may view these new tools with skepticism, as they draw attention to worries about future job displacement and the ethical implications of automation in creative industries.
In today’s constantly shifting educational and technological landscape, Artificial Intelligence is ready to shake things up, promising to change how we teach and learn. In contrast, as we enthusiastically embrace these technological advancements, it is critical to evaluate the bigger picture. Are we truly considering the ethical, cultural and social implications of AI in education and our lives, or are we simply letting it unfold without much foresight?
Ana Dondoni is a university student in Amsterdam. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Amsterdammer.
