Khan Academy CEO on how AI will change education
News & Politics
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the classroom experience for both teachers and students. In an era where science fiction has long speculated about AI serving as a tutor for every student, it is also emerging as a powerful teaching assistant for educators. Many teachers currently dedicate between five to twenty hours each week on administrative tasks like crafting lesson plans, grading assignments, and writing progress reports. AI technology can significantly alleviate these burdens, especially the advanced models that require substantial computational resources.
For over a year, the team at Khan Academy has been developing these educational tools. Their partnership with Microsoft now enables them to offer powerful AI resources free of charge to teachers, resources that would typically involve substantial costs in other industries. As we reflect on the past decade of integrating laptops in schools, we must assess whether this approach has positively impacted student learning. While there are undeniably significant advancements attributed to technology—supported by over 50 efficacy studies—there have also been instances where the technology was underutilized, leading to stagnation in educational outcomes.
It is crucial not to prioritize technology over its intended use. Numerous cases exist where technology has significantly accelerated student progress. Conversely, many tablets and laptops remain unused in classrooms. To harness the benefits of AI in education, schools must focus on its applications. The introduction of AI tools might seem like an addition to teachers' responsibilities, but it promises to generate tangible productivity improvements. Educators have reported savings of five to ten hours each week due to these innovative tools, marking a significant milestone where technology actively reduces workloads rather than adding to them.
The impact of AI extends beyond improving administrative efficiency. As Luis von Ahn, CEO of Duolingo, mentioned in a recent talk, AI can enhance language learning experiences significantly, especially in teaching conversational skills. Traditional methods often struggled to engage students in meaningful conversations, but AI can effectively facilitate this learning.
Furthermore, AI is making strides in real-time classroom applications. Khan Academy has approximately 100,000 students currently utilizing AI tools in U.S. classrooms, with projections to reach nearly a million by the next back-to-school season. These tools offer students tutoring support, provide teachers with actionable reports, and even enable engaging conversations between students and AI simulations of historical or literary figures. This integration aims to discourage cheating while supporting both educators and students in their learning journeys.
The role of AI as a tutoring resource was exemplified during the recent launch of GPT-4, where a demonstration highlighted a child's interaction with AI as it served in a supportive, tutoring role. The frontier of educational technology lies in leveraging AI not only as a supplementary tool but as an integral component of the learning experience.
Keywords
AI, education, teachers, students, Khan Academy, tutoring, classroom, Microsoft, productivity, language learning, Duolingo, conversation skills, technology integration, engagement, GPT-4.
FAQ
Q: How will AI change the experience of teachers in the classroom?
A: AI will act as a teaching assistant, helping teachers with tasks such as lesson planning, grading, and progress reporting, thereby saving them time and reducing their workload.
Q: What benefits does AI offer to students?
A: AI can provide personalized tutoring, assist with learning conversational skills, and simulate interactions with historical or literary characters, enriching the educational experience.
Q: How is Khan Academy implementing AI in education?
A: Khan Academy has developed AI tools that are currently used in real classrooms, allowing students to receive immediate support and feedback while helping teachers manage their workload.
Q: Are there any studies backing the efficacy of AI in education?
A: Yes, Khan Academy has conducted over 50 efficacy studies demonstrating that technology can dramatically accelerate educational outcomes when effectively utilized.
Q: Will teachers find it easy to adopt AI tools?
A: While there may be a learning curve, AI tools are designed to improve productivity and save time, making the transition beneficial for teachers.
