On Thursday, May 25, forty education ministers from around the world and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) virtually gathered to go over the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing chatbots in the classroom.
According to UNESCO, less than 10% of schools and universities adhere to official guidelines when employing AI technologies like the chatbot programme ChatGPT. Ministers had the chance to discuss policy philosophies and strategies for the secure and efficient use of AI in education during the meeting.
“Generative AI opens up new horizons and challenges for education, but we urgently need to take action to ensure that new AI technologies are integrated into education on our terms,” said Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at Unesco. “We have a responsibility to put safety, inclusivity, diversity, transparency, and quality first.”
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The meeting brought up a number of issues that participants had with chatbots being used in classrooms. One worry is that chatbots may make obvious mistakes. How to incorporate these tools into curriculum, teaching strategies, and tests is another issue.
Ministers also talked about how education systems need to change to accommodate the disruptions that generative AI is already causing. Many ministers emphasized the crucial function of teachers as learning facilitators in this new era. However, according to Unesco, instructors require direction and training to handle these difficulties.
UNICEF will continue to lead the international conversation with partners, politicians, academics, and members of civil society. The organization is also creating frameworks of AI competencies for teachers and students, as well as policy recommendations on the use of generative AI in research and education. These new resources will be unveiled during Digital Learning Week, which will take place from September 4 to 7 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
