How we can use technology to revolutionise education

The release of DALL-E 2 and ChatGPT in late 2022 was a real game-changer and took generative AI into an exciting new era that will totally transform education.

Generative AI can write essays, code, generate music and even draw with credible human-like (or indeed better) results. Its value as a platform for amazing innovative apps is absolutely explosive.

DALL-E 2 is a deep learning model that can generate images from text descriptions, while ChatGPT (GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is an AI chatbot that can produce text in a coherent and fluent conversational style text. Both were developed by tech research company OpenAI and they have completely disrupted the educational system. They not only have the ability to change how we teach, but also what we teach.

Any digital content can be developed on ChatGPT, whether it is writing code or producing beautiful artwork. It is so advanced; it can even write a symphony and it is all in just seconds. It provides so many options that I genuinely believe Generative AI will change our world.

Since COVID-19, learning has changed, and it is becoming an experience that is no longer an instruction. Our faculty have become more technology oriented. They are more intuitive about technology, about teaching and learning different styles, and they now engage much more with students.

The introduction of the Metaverse to the education sector has captured the imagination of Gen-Z, and we are now moving from university to what can be termed MetaVersity. Hybrid education is becoming the new norm, and learners will have the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The beauty of the Metaverse lies in the fact it challenges the boundaries of human imagination and creativity, enabling students to learn through experience.

The Metaverse inspires, provokes, and synthesizes ideas, and by utilising it in education I believe more students will be receptive to learning hard-to-grasp subject matters, such as inorganic chemistry and cadaver lab subjects. People represent themselves with avatars, peaking their imagination and bringing the learning experience to life.

It is a dramatic social experience; it is like giving them an internship and teaching theory at the same time. This unique learning experience is perfect for our Gen-Z hyper-connected youth.

Education sector embraces advancing technology

Technology is advancing so quickly, and the opportunities for the education sector are endless. For example, OpenAI released GPT-4 in March 2023 and claims it exhibits “human-level performance” on several academic and professional benchmarks such as the US bar exam, advanced placement tests and the SAT school exams.

Students in a secondary-level school or higher education are more mature and best able to use this technology and engage in this kind of environment, but it is also great to see younger children in the MENA region being given the opportunity to learn about technology from a young age.

For example, Kitmek became the Middle East’s first digital school for children from kindergarten to grade 5. This interactive game-based digital school aims to revolutionise how children interact with technology.

Geek Express is the first MENA-focused, online tech school, with a K-12 accredited curriculum that lays the foundation for our youth’s future academic and professional pursuits. Designed for children aged 10 and above, it provides education about technology in an entertaining and engaging way.

The EdTech platform Filo is now available in the Middle East and aims to revolutionise the education space through 1:1 personalised learning. It enables students to connect to a tutor within 60 seconds, 24/7, and provides an opportunity to learn on a live one-to-one video call, anytime, anywhere.

These are all great ways to enhance knowledge and get youngsters interested in technology. As educators, we need to embrace generative AI as it has the potential to be the biggest enabler and accelerator of creativity, productivity, and a growing global economy. We have made so much progress, but it is only the start. I am really excited about the potential of AI and the Metaverse to revolutionise education, and I predict the next five years will be incredible to watch.

Abdullatif AlShamsi is a Professor of Engineering and Education. He held the position of President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the largest applied higher educational institution in the UAE, from 2015-2022. He is a key contributor to the BLJ Worldwide ‘MENA Tech 2023: Mapping the Technology Landscape’ report.