Pearson, the education company, has revealed its plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) study tools for students. The tools will be available on their online platforms, Pearson+ and MyLab Mastery, in time for the new school year in September. However, analysts have raised concerns about the potential impact on disadvantaged pupils.
According to Tony Prentice, Pearson’s Chief Production Officer, the goal of incorporating AI into their services is not to provide students with easy access to answers, but to help them better understand challenging subjects. The AI tools in Pearson+ will be capable of summarizing difficult topics into easily understandable notes and generating practice exam questions. In the case of MyLab Mastery, a chatbot will assist students in figuring out where they went wrong during lab experiments, allowing them to make adjustments independently without having to wait for further assistance.
To address concerns about the accuracy of their AI, Pearson assures that the technology is still in its early stages. However, the company remains committed to ensuring its reliability and trustworthiness.
Pearson’s 2023 School Report examined the impact of AI and technology on inclusivity in education. The report revealed that 48% of schools found that hybrid and remote learning was made easier thanks to recent technological advancements, and a third of schools reported improved accessibility for students with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
Notwithstanding, some analysts remain skeptical about the potential benefits of AI for disadvantaged students. Vibeke Fængsrud, founder of House of Maths, expressed doubts about the promises made about AI in education, comparing them to failed predictions about the transformative impact of radio, TV, and the internet. However, Maya Sherman, a principal analyst at GlobalData, believes that AI has the potential to assist students with SEND who may struggle with the structured nature of academia. She cites existing AI tools, such as Ava and Google Voice Access, that can aid students by creating transcripts or acting as visual assistants.
Sherman concludes that while AI can indeed offer support to students, there are significant ethical and regulatory concerns that need to be addressed, such as the risk of bias and plagiarism.
As the AI market is projected to achieve a 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), AI is set to become an increasingly valuable asset in education, provided it is implemented responsibly and with consideration for potential challenges.
In conclusion, Pearson’s introduction of AI study tools for students has sparked both anticipation and skepticism. While the potential benefits for improving understanding and accessibility in education are acknowledged, concerns regarding accuracy, ethics, and inequality need to be carefully addressed. Only through responsible implementation can AI truly contribute meaningfully to the education sector.
