AI has created many positive improvements in education. While the word “AI” still seems slightly futuristic, it’s actually part of our everyday lives in practical application. There is technology everywhere you turn, providing a variety of valuable resources for personal assistance, safer vehicles, and even for educational resources. Artificial intelligence is everywhere and understanding it is half the battle in harnessing it for your organization.

Education is Personal

The modern academic world is creating a highly personalized environment for learning and training, thanks to a variety of software platforms and online resources that provide educational solutions for people in a variety of situations. As long as people have an Internet connection, they can get an education. The same goes for a lot of modern workplace training. AI can automate so much learning and training that it will simplify the workplace just as it is simplifying the way that people get their education.

Here are five big ways that technology is changing the way that the education industry does things.

Smart Material

Smart content is critical to the success of technology in education, and it is one of the most valuable assets that students find. Robots and AI are able to produce content on their own that is of reasonable quality compared to what a person would write and virtual assistants are providing basic answers to everyday questions, saving people from having to constantly be available when computers could do the work for them. Schools aren’t using textbooks as often because online materials are cheaper and more accessible. Digital learning interfaces that include video conferencing, lectures, discussion boards, and other interactive solutions are giving people a fully-virtual classroom experience without leaving the comfort of home.

Simplified Administration

AI makes it so much easier to handle administrative tasks like grading, assignments, and even responding to or communicating with students. AI and technology allow teachers to automate grading so that they can actually spend more time teaching and working with people. Instead of dealing with tedious tasks like grading and paperwork. Software is even making it easier to grade essays, written answers, and other material. Paperwork and administrative tasks are easier than ever, thanks to AI, and that’s only going to continue to improve as time goes on.

Personalization

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, education is becoming very personal, thanks to AI and technology. The ability of smart systems to recognize what people like or use and provide students with the resources that they need to get things done can be seen everywhere. Just take a look at your social media or streaming services. All the personalized recommendations based on your browsing or watch history are generated by AI. The same can be done with education, giving people the choice to get a personalized education that fits their specific learning styles and needs.

AI can even customize exams, offer direct feedback and create an almost full-fledged digital teaching environment to assist students every step of the way. There is more time to interact with actual teachers, thanks to AI, as well, with message boards, real-time live chats, and even things like email and text messaging.

A Global Approach

Now that there are no boundaries, education has no limits to where it can go. People can learn anything from anywhere in the world, no matter what their goals or how they want to learn. AI also equips students who utilize technology for learning with fundamental IT skills that they will use in their careers and elsewhere in their lives. Plus, more courses are available to people in remote locations, giving everyone a better chance to get an education, no matter what their interests or where they are located. As long as they can get on the Internet, they can get an education in just about anything.

Efficient Processes

AI and technology are also increasing efficiency, and the education sector is no exception. Schools and online institutions can utilize AI and technology just the same, with physical educational settings benefiting from things like modeling buildings and classrooms, assigning seats, planning, and other solutions. The future of AI in education isn’t entirely online—brick-and-mortar institutions are benefiting from this technology, too. The most obvious area of improvement is in efficiency of operations, but there is really no limit to how technology can help to improve education from the perspective of a traditional educational facility.

What About the Money?

Something a lot of people bring to the table is their concern for the investment in technology. While technology does require a significant investment in hardware and software in many cases, it will pay for itself over time. The costs will become negligible as the benefits continue to increase for educational institutions and learners alike. Almost all educational opportunities are now available in a virtual format and the implications of AI are only going to continue to grow in the education industry, so it’s no longer a choice of whether or not you can afford to adapt. You have to. The money will work itself out.

The Bottom Line

AI and technology are impacting the educational industry from the very bottom all the way to the top of higher learning. Adaptive learning and customized educational tools are changing the options available to learners, making it easier for everyone to access the educational resources and tools that they need, whether they are learning in a virtual setting or applying technology to a brick and mortar institution.

While no one truly knows the full value and potential of these resources, they are definitely making an impact and they are not going anywhere. The best thing that you can do is to engage the technology and make sure that you capitalize on it to get the most out of it that you can. Things are changing, whether people like it or not. Fortunately, change is for the better in terms of technology in the education industry, but only time will tell what the outcome will actually be.