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The possibilities of using AI in the educational process

Alexander Georgievich Krainov, Director of Artificial Intelligence Technology Development at Yandex, at the Borrowing Detection conference He spoke about the prospects of using artificial intelligence in education in the coming years.

In recent years, AI has been actively implemented in various fields, from medical research to industrial automation. However, one of the most promising areas of application is education. AI capabilities allow not only to optimize learning processes, but also to personalize learning by adapting it to the specific needs of students.

AI is already deeply integrated into the educational process, although not all users realize this. For example, one of the most obvious tools is search engines. Teachers use them to search for information, prepare lectures and create educational materials, while students use them to solve problems, write essays, and explore new topics.

The search engine is based on sophisticated AI algorithms that analyze millions of pages, select the most relevant sources, and rank the results. These algorithms ensure not only the accuracy of the search, but also adaptation to the queries of a particular user, helping to find exactly the information they need.

But search is only one of the applications of AI. The development of technology has led to the emergence of more advanced tools such as generative language models.

AI offers a variety of tools that can facilitate and improve the educational process. The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about using AI in the educational process is the automatic creation of test questions. It is easy to assume that generative artificial intelligence, receiving a document or a set of documents at the input, is able to generate questions about this document.

The next moment is when the student gives an answer to a question compiled by the AI. Here we can talk about automatic verification of responses. Even if it doesn't work perfectly now, it will definitely work much better tomorrow, and perhaps in the coming years we will come to a situation where checking the answer to a question in free form will not be inferior in accuracy to checking by a qualified teacher.

Flexibility and accessibility of testing

Artificial intelligence allows you to organize the knowledge verification process so that students can take tests at any time convenient for them, and not just during strictly designated hours. This is especially important for distance learning students, students with irregular schedules, and those with special educational needs. This approach helps to individualize the learning process, allowing students to choose the most comfortable conditions for evaluating their knowledge.

The responsibility is on the student

Modern technologies enable anyone to independently assess their level of knowledge in the subject area they are interested in. This can be a wide range of disciplines, as well as narrow specialized topics. Self-testing provides a convenient tool for introspection without having to share the results with anyone other than the test taker himself.

One of the main advantages of this approach is that learning becomes a truly personal process. A person learns not for the sake of grades, diplomas or external requirements, but for himself in order to better understand the subject and objectively evaluate his knowledge. This helps him to consciously identify gaps, work on them and raise his level.

When formal confirmation of knowledge is required, for example, for graduation or employment, traditional exams can be replaced by a validation process. Instead of taking strictly regulated tests within a certain time frame, a person gets the opportunity to be tested at a convenient time for him.

Adapting the pace of learning

AI can adjust the learning process to the individual characteristics of the student by adjusting the speed of material submission. If a student has a low level of education in a particular subject, the system slows down the pace of learning, giving them the opportunity to understand the topic more deeply. If the student demonstrates a high level of knowledge, AI speeds up the process, allowing him to move forward without delay.

This personalization makes learning more efficient, reduces overload, and gives each student the opportunity to master the material at the most comfortable pace.

The new role of a teacher

AI will not replace teachers, but it will change their functions.

  • In the future, the teacher will spend most of his time creating AI systems that teach students. By "creation" we mean putting the necessary knowledge there, preparing materials, fine-tuning.
  • Teachers will play the role of mentors, helping students choose educational paths. Instead of just passing on information, teachers will become individual supervisors of learning. They will be able to analyze students' strengths and weaknesses, recommend suitable courses, disciplines, and additional materials. Artificial intelligence will act as a tool that provides data on student progress, and teachers will be able to interpret it, helping students build individual educational routes in accordance with their interests and career goals.
  • Teachers will use AI to prepare lectures, analyze student progress, and adapt curricula. Artificial intelligence technologies will be able to automate many routine tasks for teachers, such as drawing up curricula, selecting relevant materials, and testing students' knowledge. For example, AI can analyze the level of assimilation of topics and suggest adjustments to the curriculum, reinforcing difficult-to-understand sections. Teachers will also be able to use AI analytics for a personalized approach to learning, identifying common gaps in the group's knowledge or individual difficulties of each student.
  • Teachers will focus on developing students' critical thinking, communication skills, and creativity. Since routine tasks such as checking tests or providing basic information will be partially automated, teachers will be able to pay more attention to developing students' skills that are difficult to replace with algorithms. In the digital age, the ability to analyze information, formulate arguments, interact in a team, and find innovative solutions is becoming especially important. It is these qualities that teachers will develop in students by creating discussion class formats, group projects and creative assignments.
  • And of course, a teacher will be needed in areas where artificial intelligence is weak, to put it mildly. For example, in everything that concerns the interaction between people.

Teachers will remain an important element of the educational process, but their work will become more efficient thanks to automated tools.

Despite all the advantages, artificial intelligence in the educational field faces a number of challenges.

Students abuse technology

One of the main problems is the excessive use of AI services by students. Instead of independently understanding the material, analyzing information and formulating their own thoughts, students often resort to automated solutions, copying ready-made answers. This inevitably leads to a decrease in the quality of education, loss of critical thinking skills and superficial assimilation of knowledge.

How to deal with it?

You can appeal to the consciousness of students as much as you like and explain the importance of independent work, and, of course, this must be done. However, anyone who is familiar with the education system understands that moralizing alone cannot solve this problem. We need a more effective approach.

One possible solution is to adapt AI services in such a way that they not only provide ready—made answers, but also help students master the material. For example, before showing the correct answer, the system should explain in detail the logic of the solution, give similar examples and guide the user to independent conclusions. It is important that the user does not receive the finished result instantly, but goes through several stages of interaction with the system, which will force him to join the process.

Thus, the fight against the uncontrolled use of AI is not about prohibitions, but about the competent adaptation of technologies to the educational process, creating conditions for active learning.

AI in everyday life

It is important to understand that AI technologies are needed not only in education, but also in the future professional development of students. Automated algorithms are already playing a key role in a wide variety of fields, from data analytics to creative industries. Therefore, it is important not only to limit the use of AI in studies, but to teach students how to use it competently.

Learning to work with AI

On the one hand, it is logical to assume that training should include tasks directly related to the use of AI. For example, students can write essays or solve problems using artificial intelligence as an auxiliary tool. This corresponds to the real conditions of life, where such technologies have already become commonplace.

On the other hand, there is a well-founded fear: will this lead to a degradation of cognitive abilities? If a person constantly relies on algorithms, doesn't this reduce their ability to analyze information, think critically, and formulate their own ideas?

Apparently, educational institutions will have to divide the educational process into two parts. One of them will focus on the development of cognitive skills in its purest form — without the use of AI. This can be compared to physical fitness training: the presence of cars, elevators and escalators does not negate the need to exercise and keep fit. It's the same with mental abilities: even if algorithms are able to do most of the work for a person, they should still be able to think independently.

Thus, the integration of AI into education requires a reasonable balance. On the one hand, it is necessary to teach students how to work with technology, because they will inevitably encounter it in the future. On the other hand, it is important to maintain a system of exercises and tasks aimed solely at developing thinking without the involvement of algorithms. This is the only way to achieve a harmonious combination of technological capabilities and the development of intellectual skills.

The full speech of Alexander Georgievich can be viewed here.

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в статье ну очень много воды

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