The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education system in India, exposing the gaps and inequalities in access, quality, and outcomes. Many students have faced difficulties in continuing their learning online, especially in rural and low-income areas where internet connectivity and digital devices are scarce. Teachers have also struggled to adapt to the new mode of teaching and to cater to the diverse needs of their students.
Generative AI: A new frontier in education
One of the emerging technologies that has the potential to transform education is generative AI. This is a branch of artificial intelligence that can create original content such as text, images, music, and code, based on some input or data. Generative AI can be used for various purposes, such as enhancing creativity, generating ideas, summarizing information, and providing feedback.
Generative AI has been making headlines with the launch of ChatGPT, a powerful language model that can generate coherent and fluent text on any topic, given a few words or sentences as a prompt. ChatGPT has been used for various applications, such as creating chatbot responses, developing stories and content, and even composing music.
Generative AI in Indian education: Opportunities and challenges
Generative AI has the potential to bridge the learning gap in Indian schools by providing personalized tutoring and homework assistance at a fraction of the cost and resources needed for traditional tutoring services. These systems can provide feedback on writing assignments, help with math problems, and explain intricate concepts, all tailored to a student’s needs.
For example, Learning Matters, an edtech firm in Bengaluru, has developed Tara, an AI-enabled system that uses voice recognition technology to help students improve their English reading, listening, and speaking skills. Tara is used in about 200 schools in three Indian states, and has helped many first-generation learners gain confidence and ability in English.
Another example is Sikshana Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to improve India’s state school system, which has introduced Shiksha, an AI-enabled bot that helps teachers create lesson plans, student activities, and assessments. Shiksha also responds to queries and saves time for teachers who often handle multiple subjects and grades.
Generative AI can also be used to create virtual simulations that allow students to experiment with different scenarios and observe the outcomes in real time. This can enhance their understanding of engineering and scientific concepts, as well as their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
However, generative AI also poses some challenges and risks for education. One of the main concerns is the quality and reliability of the content generated by these systems, which may contain errors, biases, or misinformation. Students and teachers need to be aware of these limitations and verify the sources and accuracy of the information they use.
Another challenge is the ethical and legal implications of using generative AI, especially when it comes to data privacy and intellectual property rights. Generative AI systems collect and process large amounts of data from students and teachers, which may be vulnerable to misuse or leakage. Moreover, generative AI systems may create content that infringes on the rights of the original authors or creators, or that violates the norms and values of the society.
Generative AI in Indian education: A nuanced and rights-based approach
Generative AI is a powerful and promising technology that can revolutionize education in India, but it also requires a comprehensive, nuanced, and rights-based approach. As UNESCO, the United Nations agency for education, has stated, “We should avoid a naive ‘technological solutionism’ belief—AI will not and cannot solve all our problems, including those in education.”
Therefore, it is important to adopt a balanced and holistic perspective that considers the benefits and risks of generative AI, and that respects the rights and interests of all the stakeholders involved, including students, teachers, parents, and policymakers. It is also essential to foster a culture of digital literacy and critical thinking among students and teachers, so that they can use generative AI as a tool for learning and not as a substitute for it.
Generative AI in education is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a context-specific and user-centric one. It should be designed and implemented with the participation and feedback of the end-users, and with the aim of enhancing their agency and empowerment. It should also be aligned with the national and local curriculum and pedagogy, and with the social and cultural values and norms of the community.
Generative AI in education is not a magic bullet, but a catalyst for change. It can help Indian schools overcome the learning challenges posed by the pandemic and beyond, and create more inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
