3 Ways Artificial Intelligence Amplifies Innovation
The
trepidation surrounding artificial intelligence and machine learning hasn’t
subsided.
Many
educators wonder how possible is it that machine learning could replace the
tasks and jobs we’ve trained for, leaving many without employment? What happens
when artificial intelligence takes over?
The
answer is that we will become more creative. As humans, we have characteristics
that no machine will develop: empathy and innovation.
AI is nothing without innovation
People
are innovators.
We
thrive on solving problems and making things better than they were. To think
and work at this high level of engagement, we must be creative. This creativity
helps us form better relationships through empathy, embrace opportunity,
and shift our perspective.
If
you want to capture the imagination of students, for example, offer a course
that encourages students to use their creativity in novel ways. For example, “coding”
is dull-sounding to many; however, “computational
thinking” brings with it the suggestion that innovation skills are a must.
Software
can code. What it can’t do is innovate. Humans do that, and we must teach our
students how to be creative if they are to innovate.
Creativity dominates machine
learning
Machines
will be innately better at some things than humans. There’s probably not a
person on the planet who can spin at 140 rpm, but machines can do that for
hours on end.
Similarly,
machine learning outperforms most students – and their teachers – when it comes
to calculating formulas. Machines, especially the software to operate them, are
better at sequential tasks like coding, as well.
Tom Hulme,
general partner at GV (Google/Alphabet), believes in spending less time
teaching coding in schools and more time encouraging students to be empathetic
and creative thinkers:
“Instead of glamorizing memorization and rote testing, we must
place a greater emphasis on speed of learning, understanding context, being
adaptable, and especially on how to frame the right question, whether as a
search query, as a citizen in a democracy, or as a complex algorithm.”
Regardless
of how intelligent machines become, it is our empathy and creativity that will
catapult the human race into continued improvement.
Artificial intelligence forces us
to be creative
We
rely heavily on our computers and software algorithms to harvest data and sift
it into manageable piles. Companies from every industry routinely analyze big
data for identifying trends and setting goals. The predictive
insights needed for interpreting business data are equally necessary for
analysis of student learning.
The
education filed is no different. Teachers already use AI for formative and
summative purposes. Data management systems reveal student success by overall
score and learning objective. The results illuminate how the class is doing as
a whole and in which areas all or some of the students need additional help.
The AI program may even suggest the next steps based on widely-accepted best
practices.
It
is the teacher, however, who determines which suggestions to accept. Every
instructional decision must take into consideration more than the data alone.
Determining a course of action requires analysis, reflection, and a deep
understanding of how students learn. Designing appropriate learning experiences
takes creativity on the part of the teacher.
In conclusion
Machine
learning isn’t going to take over. It’s going to push us to become better
versions of ourselves, and that’s something to get excited about. This
improvement begins in the classroom with teachers.
Perhaps
the best reason to be excited about AI in the classroom is that it will amplify
innovation, and that’s what the best teachers excel at.
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