Emergent Role of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been seamlessly integrated into our lives. In 2016, Barack Obama reported, “the walls between humans and AI systems are slowly beginning to erode, with AI systems augmenting and enhancing human capabilities. Fundamental research is needed to develop effective methods for human-AI interaction and collaboration [1].” As institutions of higher education continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19, some are turning to existing technologies to make educational experiences safer, more efficient, and more adaptable to changing environments. AI in higher education (AIEd) enables institutions to have meaningful impacts on teaching and learning environments. When using the term AI in relation to higher education, it can be described as an information system that acts as if it were intelligent by perceiving and acting upon its environment. The bandwidth of teaching professionals has been grossly misidentified, and as remote learning methods become more common, there will be deeper discussions surrounding the role of AI in supporting these professionals. It will benefit both teachers and their students if instructors have more time to focus on curriculum contents and prolonged engagement, while AI applications take over administrative functions that are currently expected of teaching professionals.