Think of it like this: If you want to help someone, you don’t start by guessing their age, job, or hobbies. You start by asking, “What are they struggling with?”
We experienced a sneak preview of how AI could potentially upend industries with the recent public release of GPT (General Purpose Technology). The education sector being one of the most concerned or excited about the implications, depending on which side you are on. As Marshall McLuhan believed, for every extension of technology, there is an amputation. This idea is known as McLuhan’s Law of Amplification and Diminution, which states that every new technology amplifies certain aspects of human experience or capabilities while diminishing or amputating others. By analyzing the potential impacts of using GPT or AI bots in education, we can work towards a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with these technologies in our learning environments
Our faithful companion, the smartphone is a great example of how technology can help us to extend the capabilities of our brains. We no longer need to memorise phone numbers because our smartphones do it for us. Similarly, the availability of Google Search means we can access a vast amount of information without a trip to the library. We now have the answers to our questions at our fingertips, with just a tap on our smartphone.
We can access a vast amount of information without a trip to the library. Photo by Arkan Perdana on Unsplash
The integration of Google into education has broadly impacted the way we learn in the classroom. Now, with the introduction of GPT, we have the opportunity to shift from a structured learning approach to a just-in-time approach. Offering unstructured and personalised learning recommendations or resources based on each individual’s specific needs and goals. This evolution towards just-in-time learning represents an advancement in education, enabling us to utilise technology to better meet the needs and goals of learners.
It could potentially allow us to explore the process of knowledge management — how one can learn and adapt in the workplace through creating systems for storing and sharing knowledge within an organization. Using vertical AI, it may be possible to onboard new workers and quickly orientate them with the collective knowledge and experience of the team to work together effectively towards a shared goal with a hive mentality.
In “The Extended Mind,” Annie Murphy Paul examines the ways in which artists, scientists, and writers have employed external resources to enhance their mental capabilities and achieve creative breakthroughs. Through a review of historical examples, the author delves into the previously unexplored history of how individuals have used cognitive extensions to solve problems, make discoveries, and produce innovative works.
Extends throughout the workspace. Photo by İrfan Simsar on Unsplash
One of her approaches extends throughout your workspace. Annie Murphy Paul highlights that
“True human genius lies in the way we are able to take facts and concepts out of our heads, using physical space to spread out that material, to structure it, and to see it anew.”
I see GPT as a digital tool that can support whimsical curiosity by providing a platform for exploring unconventional and irrational ideas in a playful and imaginative way. Stretching our imagination to help us see things from a fresh perspective. By connecting different dots that we may have never considered, it encourages us to consider different “what if” scenarios. Allowing us to ponder ideas and approaches that may be outside the norm or our usual way of thinking.
GPT recipe prompts for beer omelette
As Marc Abrahams, organizer of the Ig Nobel Prize highlighted, “It’s not about good or bad. If you win an Ig Nobel Prize, it means you’ve done something that will immediately cause anyone who hears about it to laugh, and then to think about it for the next few days or weeks.”.
Therefore, a whimsical answer from the GPT may not be what you were expecting, but it could potentially inspire further inquiry or contemplation.
The role of teachers may shift in the future as artificial intelligence advances. Instead of being the primary source of knowledge, teachers may become more like guides or facilitators, helping students navigate and make sense of the vast amount of information available. While AI may be able to answer many questions, there is still a need for human interaction and guidance in education.Teachers are essential to the learning process, and they will continue to play a vital role in helping students grow and develop. They bring valuable perspective, experience, and empathy to the classroom, which helps students thrive.Here are some possible outcomes for the role of a teacher in the future:
In the future, teachers may be responsible for training artificial intelligence systems by using private data from various sources to ensure that the machines are able to provide accurate and current answers. This may involve working with different parties to gather and curate the necessary data, and then using it to train the AI systems to improve their performance. By taking on this role, teachers will be able to play a key part in shaping the capabilities and knowledge of these systems, helping to ensure that they are able to provide valuable support and insights to students and other learners.
In the future, it may be possible for a personalized AI to be trained by a human.
In the future, teachers may take on the role of knowledge managers, responsible for storing and organizing an organization’s historical knowledge in order to train artificial intelligence systems. These systems, in turn, will be used to train the workforce, rather than the trainers themselves providing the training. The goal of this approach is to not only have the machines be able to train employees effectively, but also to manage and preserve the organization’s valuable knowledge for use in future training programs. By managing and organising this information, trainers will be able to ensure that it is readily available and can be easily accessed and utilised by the AI systems as needed.
In the future, it is possible that there will be an increased need for educators who specialise in teaching students how to appreciate and understand beauty in the world around them. This type of education, known as aesthetic education, can help students to develop a more refined sense of aesthetics and learn to interpret beauty in various forms. Through this process, students can gain a new perspective on the world and be able to express their own thoughts and ideas through aesthetics. Aesthetic education can be a rewarding and empowering experience for students, as it helps them to deepen their understanding of the world, to develop a more creative eye to see the world in new and innovative ways.
To create a harmonious system that benefits both humans and AI, we must find ways to collaborate and work together effectively. This may involve learning from one another and finding ways to coexist and work alongside AI rather than trying to oppose it.
Additionally, if we can access and learn from the vast knowledge and experience of nature, which is a 4 billion years old database, we may be able to create a truly harmonious learning system that brings together the insights and capabilities of both humans and AI. By working together and drawing upon the wisdom of the natural world, we can achieve a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
Rendered by Midjourney
As Steve Jobs had mentioned,
“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology. A new era is beginning.”
We are still in the early stages of this new era, and there is much more to discover and learn as we continue to explore the intersection of biology and technology.
