AI In Higher Education: New Opportunities For Students And Institutions

The global AI in education market size was valued at USD 1.82 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.0% from 2022 to 2030. AI promises to open up new horizons and new ways of learning, but are we ready for this revolution?

"67% of people have a good understanding of what AI is, but only half know which products and services use AI "- Ipsos survey

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly transforming higher education by improving learning experiences, simplifying administrative tasks, and providing new ways to support students. As institutions aim to stay relevant in a digital world, adopting AI has become crucial for enhancing both teaching methods and learning outcomes. 

AI is being embraced by universities and colleges to offer better educational experiences, making processes more efficient and ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed.

Nova Southeastern University in Florida had valuable data but was unsure how to use it effectively to improve student retention and support student welfare. To address this, the university partnered with Aible, an AI technology that provides models and recommended interventions.

By using Aible, the university was able to identify students most likely to leave and focus its efforts on helping those at greatest risk. This approach led to a 17% reduction in student attrition in just 15 days.

This article explores how AI is influencing education, its benefits, challenges, and what lies ahead for the future of learning.

Table of contents

• What is AI and why is it important?
• Benefits of AI in higher education
• The future of AI in higher education
• How to successfully implement AI in education
• FAQs

What is AI and why is it important?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables machines to learn from experience, adapt to new information, and carry out tasks that typically require human intelligence. Common examples of AI today, like chess-playing computers or self-driving cars, heavily rely on technologies such as deep learning and natural language processing. These systems allow computers to perform specific tasks by processing large amounts of data and recognising patterns within it.

In the context of higher education, AI plays a pivotal role in improving teaching methods, automating administrative duties, and offering enhanced student services.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial because it automates complex, high-volume tasks that would be challenging for humans to handle at scale. Unlike traditional automation, which focuses on repetitive manual tasks, AI can perform intricate processes such as data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making without fatigue. It enhances existing products and technologies, integrating intelligent capabilities into everyday tools like smart devices and home security systems. AI’s ability to learn from vast amounts of data allows it to improve accuracy and efficiency over time, whether in simple tasks or complex areas like investment analysis and customer service.

AI’s power lies in its ability to process large, complex datasets through deep neural networks, making it invaluable for industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology. Its deep learning capabilities enable voice assistants like Alexa to become more accurate, while AI-driven models in healthcare can detect diseases such as cancer with high precision. As AI continues to evolve, it transforms data into a strategic asset by uncovering insights that would otherwise go unnoticed. To ensure AI drives responsible innovation, it must be developed and applied ethically, maintaining fairness, transparency, and sustainability.

Benefits of AI in higher education: The future of learning

Assistance: AI can make teachers' jobs easier by helping them with tasks like creating lesson plans, coming up with project ideas, or making quizzes. With AI taking care of these tasks, teachers have more time to focus on their students.

Speed: AI provides instant help to students when they get stuck on an assignment. For example, if a student doesn’t know how to solve an equation, they can ask AI for guidance and get immediate help, even when a teacher or caregiver isn’t available.

Individualisation: AI can tailor learning experiences for students. For instance, it can quickly translate materials into different languages to support students who don’t speak English as their first language. AI can also adjust the complexity of assignments based on a student’s grade level or interests.

Context: AI can make learning more engaging by putting ideas into context. For example, in a 2023 TED Talk, Sal Khan shared how an AI tutor helped a student understand a key symbol in The Great Gatsby. AI could also be used to have conversations with historical figures or famous scientists, making subjects like history and literature more interactive.

Personalisation: AI tools can analyse student performance data and identify who needs extra support. It can also suggest the best ways to help those students, making their learning experience more personalised and effective.

The future of AI in higher education

As AI technology continues to develop, its role in higher education is expected to grow even more. Among the nearly 400 people surveyed, 21% work at private high schools, and 79% are in higher education. A larger proportion of those in private high schools say their school currently uses AI in admissions (79%) compared to those in higher education (50%). However, more higher education institutions than private high schools plan to use AI in the future (37% vs. 9%).

Overall, 56% of all respondents say their school currently uses AI in the admissions process. 7% plan to introduce AI by the end of this year, 19% by 2024, and 5% by 2025 or later. 13% said their school has no plans to use AI in admissions.

AI-powered learning environments, The future of higher education will likely include AI-powered learning environments that offer immersive and adaptable experiences. These systems will use AI to study student behaviour and give real-time feedback, allowing students to learn at their own pace in a way that suits their preferences. It's predicted that these systems could improve learning outcomes by up to 25%, making education more engaging and effective.

Data-driven institutional management, AI analytics tools are helping universities make better decisions by offering insights into student performance, resource allocation, and how efficiently they operate.

How to successfully implement in education

Successfully implementing AI in education requires careful planning and attention to several key areas:

1. Infrastructure and investment: Schools need to ensure they have the right infrastructure and invest in the necessary technology to support AI initiatives.
2. Training and development: Teachers should receive thorough training on how to use AI tools effectively and incorporate them into their teaching methods.
3. Ethical considerations: Clear policies must be established to tackle ethical issues such as data privacy and bias in AI systems.
4. Inclusive access: It’s essential to make sure AI technologies are available to all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, so no one is left behind.
5. Continuous evaluation: AI tools should be regularly assessed to ensure they are working well, and any necessary changes should be made to improve their effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Question

Q: How is AI currently being used in higher education? 

Ans: AI is being used to personalise learning experiences, automate administrative tasks, provide instant student support through chatbots, and analyse student data to optimise educational strategies.

Q: What are the benefits of AI in education? 

Ans: AI offers numerous benefits including personalised learning, streamlined administrative tasks, enhanced student support, and data-driven insights that help institutions improve educational outcomes.

Q: Will AI replace teachers in the future? 

Ans: No, AI is intended to complement teachers, not replace them. While AI can handle routine tasks and assist with personalised learning, the human element of education—such as mentorship and emotional support—remains irreplaceable.

Q: How does AI personalise learning? 

Ans: AI uses algorithms to analyse student performance and adjust the difficulty of lessons or recommend resources tailored to each student’s learning needs, allowing for a self-paced and adaptive experience.

Q: Are there ethical concerns with AI in education? 

Ans: Yes, some concerns include the potential for AI to perpetuate biases based on the data it uses. It’s important for institutions to use AI responsibly to ensure fairness and inclusivity in educational settings.

Q: How can AI help improve student performance? 

Ans: AI provides real-time feedback and analyses data to identify patterns in student learning. This helps educators tailor instruction to address specific areas of improvement and gives students targeted support.

Q: What’s the future of AI in higher education? 

Ans: The future of AI in education will likely involve more interactive, immersive learning experiences and expanded access to educational resources. However, institutions will need to balance technological advancements with ethical considerations and human interaction.