KUWAIT: Schools’ resistance to the use of artificial intelligence is clearly a losing battle. It is only a matter of time before artificial intelligence becomes integrated into student education, particularly for Generation Alpha. Ghadeer Ghafour and Helen, English teachers who recognize the power of artificial intelligence (AI), spoke to the Kuwait Times about AI being not merely a passing trend but a fundamental cornerstone of Gen Z’s and particularly Gen Alpha’s educational journey in the near future, taking a counterintuitive approach that welcomes AI as a powerful assistant rather than resisting its impact on enhancing educational systems and teaching curriculums.
Helen emphasized preparing students at schools for an AI-influenced job market, saying: "AI should be embraced; we need to prepare students for a job market that will be heavily influenced by AI. Fostering critical thinking and ethical considerations around AI usage is crucial. The discussions on the use of AI could be a starting point.”
Gen Z today and Gen Alpha in the near future are poised to live in a world where AI occupies a vital role. By integrating AI into their educational journey, schools will equip students with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in the digital age. On her part, Ghafour explained to the Kuwait Times that as technology advances, the education sector has to further embrace AI to enhance the learning experience in classrooms.
"AI possesses the capability to execute tasks that typically require human intelligence, offering invaluable assistance to students in their educational journey. A key advantage of AI in education is its ability to tailor the learning process to individual students’ needs, abilities, and preferences, ensuring that each learner receives appropriate support irrespective of their skill level. Through the integration of AI, students benefit from immediate feedback and guidance from virtual assistants, substantially improving their academic performance.
Furthermore, virtual assistants play a crucial role in boosting students’ engagement and interest in subjects by providing instantaneous feedback, thereby fostering a desire for further learning. By offering a wide array of interactive tools, AI ensures that learners remain actively involved and enthusiastic about the subject matter, diverging from traditional classroom methods,” she said.