The history of AI in education can be traced long back to the time of Eliza, the rule-based system used as a language tool, that is, in the 1960s. Since then, various systems employed AI techniques such as rule-based systems, decision trees, and expert systems. And nowadays, students use Natural Language Processing based tools like Quillbot to improve their writing and tools like GitHub Copilot for program creation.  

However, for the past few months, access to GhatGPT and AI has become more widespread, which has made it more accessible and affordable and created a trend in education. Even the pandemic has influenced teachers to adopt innovative teaching techniques to interact with their students and teach them during remote learning.

AI's development has also revolutionised how teachers teach and the learning process. It assists the teachers in developing customised learning plans, automating assessments and providing personalised feedback. This helps students receive advanced learning experiences, more interactive content and real-time access to educational resources. Such developments have the potential to improve education on a global scale. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, Global AI in the education market is expected to grow rapidly from USD 2.75 Billion in 2022 to USD 32.27 Billion in 2030.

As per the report published by Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence of Stanford University in February 2022, the researchers are developing AI that aids in providing top-notch personalised learning, creating a grading system that will augment the teaching and assessment experience and execute an intentional learning environment that will enable students to thrive.

Enhancing the output from students through AI 

We have been witnessing a sudden shift in the method of teaching and learning after the pandemic. It has become more flexible and gives space to more student-centric and project-based learning to help the students adapt to such strange circumstances. Chatbots have helped students in such situations to a greater extent. It enhances academic performance through learning interfaces with Artificial Intelligence and reduces dropout rates by providing students with individual attention and guidance by reducing the gap between students and teachers and making it easier for students to get the proper assistance they need to succeed.

How AI revolutionise the teaching process

• Provides better feedback on students

AI tools like ChatGPT could offer students access to a wide range of information and study materials designed to assist students in learning complex topics more efficiently, making it easier for them to learn and revise the lessons. The AI chatbots use machine learning algorithms to understand the strength and weaknesses of each student and provide effective and immediate feedback.

• Full-fledge support for the students

Students are of different types. Each one will have different learning patterns. For example, some choose early morning to learn, as they feel refreshed, which helps them remember lessons, while some choose late night as some become active at that time. Here chatbots can be an effective way to learn, as it gives full-time support to the studies. Though they cannot be there in real, these chatbots can assist them in their studies to a great extent.

• Help students with flexible learning

Each student differs in their learning pace. Some are fast learners, while some are slow. Teachers encounter the challenge mostly in classrooms as they will be in a hurry to cover portions while trying to make the students understand. AI chatbots can act as virtual teachers for these students who feel difficulty in fast learning. Chatbots can be developed with tasks that are suitable for the pace of students without putting any pressure on the students.

How AI helps in language learning and writing improvement

AI for language learning is one of the most effective tools nowadays. Recently, a government school in Kuthalam, Tamil Nadu, has implemented a language lab using AI for effective learning of the English language. Models like this help students practice and enhance their pronunciation for good communication. Tools like ChatGPT assist the students in translations, defining new words, developing sentences, providing practice sessions and communicating with students. It also helps the students identify mistakes and improve their vocabulary, grammar etc. It offers high-quality personalised training at its fingertips.

However, there are potential obstacles too, when it comes to learning and teaching through chatbots. Among these, plagiarism is a critical issue to be addressed in the educational setting. ChatGPT can generate a vast amount of data. But due to its pervasiveness, we cannot prevent the risk of plagiarism. Lack of personal interaction with students can be another challenge.