ARE SCHOOLS STILL RELEVANT?
What is AI all about?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword, it is rapidly transforming the way we work, learn and live. But what is AI and how does it work?
At its core, AI is a form of computer programming that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision making and problem solving. The technology behind AI is complex, involving machine learning algorithms that can analyse large amounts of data and identify patterns and trends.
AI has the potential to automate several jobs that are currently done by humans and already, we are familiar with many examples. For instance Chatbots and Virtual Assistants can handle basic customer queries and provide assistance 24/7 reducing the need for human customer service representatives. AI has also improved travelling - instead of having to rely on printed maps or directions, we can now use Google or Apple Maps on the phone and type in a destination.
Another example of AI that has become part of our daily lives is using face ID for unlocking our phones and facial recognition used for surveillance and security at airports.
When the company OpenAI recently launched its new Artificial Intelligence programme, ChatGPT, educators greeted the news with apprehension. ChatGPT generates text and responds in a conversational way that could appear to have been written by a human. As a test of its ability and to compare it to human characteristics, we asked ChatGPT to write a short poem.
Can you guess which poem has been written by Chat GPT?
In fields of green, the flowers grow,
Their petals soft, their colours aglow.
The sun shines bright, the sky so blue,
A perfect day, so fresh and new.
The breeze does blow, the leaves do sway,
A gentle touch, as if to say,
That life is good, and love is near,
And all our troubles will disappear.
So take a moment, and breathe it in,
The beauty that surrounds within,
For life is short, but love is long,
And in our hearts, we all belong.
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier far than these.
There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these.
How easy is it to differentiate between artificial and human intelligence? With the poem on the left being written in less than 3 seconds by ChatGPT, it is hard not to be impressed by the likeness to the human mind and the speed that it can ‘create’ a plausible piece of text, in comparison to the skillfully crafted human-written poem on the right hand side, which we can only imagine took longer than a matter of seconds...
So how will AI change the game for schools and businesses?
Well, for one thing, it’s already revolutionising the way we learn. With AI-powered tools like personalised learning algorithms, as we begin to utilise AI in our day to day lives, teachers could use AI to create custom learning plans for each student based on their strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. This means that students would be able to receive the tailored support they need to succeed, without feeling left behind or bored in class. There was once a time that we were apprehensive about the emergence of calculators, concerned about the effects of spell-checkers on young minds, and resisted the influence of the internet. However, like its predecessors, AI has the potential to enhance the standard of education as another valuable tool.
According to Bill Gates, AI is a revolution that will change our lives like the PC, internet or mobile phone. After using OpenAI’s Chat GPT for the first time, Gates commented: “I knew I had just seen the most important advance in technology since the graphical user interface [the early version of a computer operating system]. I think in the next five to ten years, AI-driven software will finally deliver on the promise of revolutionising the way people teach and learn”.
The benefits of AI aren't limited to education. Businesses across all industries are already harnessing the power of AI to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and improve customer experiences. From chatbots that can answer customer questions to predictive analytics that can forecast sales, AI is transforming the way businesses operate in countless ways. Of course, there are also concerns about the impact of AI on jobs and society as a whole. Some worry that AI will replace human workers, while others fear that the technology could be misused or lead to unintended consequences. However, with proper regulation and ethical considerations, AI has the potential to bring about a brighter, more productive future for everyone.
So whether you are a student, business owner, or just curious about the future of technology, it’s clear that AI is a game changer that we can’t ignore. With its ability to learn, adapt, and improve over time, there’s no telling what the future holds for this powerful technology.
But one thing is certain: it’s sure to be exciting.
The known, the unknown, and everything in between
As we grapple with what we do and don't know about the ever-changing societal landscape, we find ourselves asking some of the more hair-raising questions - and we know we're not alone in this curiosity. It's only natural to wonder whether the rapid development of AI is truly for the greater good, especially when faced with so much uncertainty.
To get some answers, we turned to Mr. Howe, Headington School’s Head of Computer Science and go-to for all things AI. We also enlisted the help of ChatGPT to weigh in on some of the more pressing questions about the future of artificial intelligence.
Read our interview below with Mr Howe and our special guest, ChatGPT, in the hot seat.
Matt Howe
Head of Computer Science
ChatGPT
Q1.
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hi. I'm Matt Howe. I've been head of Computer Science at Headington School now for 22 years and I've been a teacher for 25 years.
I got my first computer about 40 years ago and it was an Acorn Electron at 32k 1 MHz (I still have it). I remember using a modem with the BBC in the 80s. I started using Telnet in the early 90s and at Uni and I remember the first browser pages using Mosaic and Netscape. So I’ve seen lots of new technologies along the way. Current AI is recapturing the same excitement as my first time using BASIC or Telnet!
Hello, I am ChatGPT, a language model designed to converse and answer questions on a range of topics. I am trained on a large corpus of text and am constantly learning and updating my knowledge base.
Q2.
With recent developments in AI, how are schools still relevant?
“How are schools still relevant?” It's a really interesting question. ChatGPT gives a really good if formulaic answer but what it can't do is put the answer in the context of Headington and what we do here.
So I'm going to reframe the question, “Is Headington still relevant?”. So if you think about the 6 Cs at the heart of everything we do here at Headington:
- Curious
- Creative
- Confident
- Collaborative
- Compassionate
- Courageous
These are not virtues that can be planted, nurtured, encouraged, reflected or evaluated on by AI. Headington is not merely a place of output where knowledge or answers are prized above all else.
I like to think we are a place of process, where students learn how to learn, take risks and bounce back from failure, to persist. These transferable skills are so vital in the modern world. Can a MOOC (massive open online course) or AI ever provide that stimulating, enriching and forward-thinking environment for all pupils, where achievement, enterprise, creativity and leadership are nurtured and developed? So much of this is in the craft of teaching, in extracurricular activities and most significantly, in talking and listening to one another.
AI can support and complement schools and teachers in these efforts, but I can’t see it ever replacing a human teacher or mentor. Similarly, as great as an online TED lecture can be, it will never have the impact that a single conversation can have on you.
While AI has made significant strides in recent years, schools remain relevant because they offer much more than just knowledge transfer. Here are a few reasons why schools are still relevant despite the advancements in AI:
- Social and emotional development: Schools provide an environment where students can interact and socialise with their peers, which is essential for their social and emotional development. AI cannot replicate the human interaction and emotional support that students receive from their teachers and peers.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: While AI can provide solutions to problems based on algorithms and data, it cannot teach students how to think critically and solve complex problems. Schools help students develop these skills through activities such as group discussions, projects, and experiments.
- Personalised learning: AI can provide personalised learning experiences based on the data it collects on individual students, but it cannot replace the human touch of a teacher who can provide personalised attention and support to students based on their unique needs and learning styles.
- Moral and ethical values: Schools play a critical role in teaching students moral and ethical values, which are essential for their personal and professional growth. AI cannot replicate the values that are taught in schools, such as respect, honesty, and compassion.
In conclusion, while AI has made significant advancements, schools remain relevant because they provide a holistic learning experience that goes beyond just knowledge transfer. Schools help students develop social and emotional skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, personalised learning, and moral and ethical values that are essential for their overall growth and development.
Q3.
Is AI a fad?
Being middle-aged, I’ve seen my fair share of fads from eBook readers, Pokémon Go, QR codes, 3D TVs, Google Glass and Netbooks. I've also seen my fair share of technology rising to become indispensable . . . and then disappear without a trace, from Pagers, Zip drives and Blackberries to Napster, GeoCities and Altavista. Remember though, that AI has been around since 1951.
ChatGPT at the moment is version 4. There were previous versions to this and there will be versions superseding this one. I think the fad element of AI is the intense enthusiasm and scaremongering that social media and the media more traditionally have stoked up. I think once this initial wave has subsided, people will see the technology less as a threat and more as a tool as they increasingly discover its limitations and flaws.
So AI is not a fad, but peoples’ reactions are.
No, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is not a fad. In fact, AI is a rapidly growing field with a lot of potential to revolutionise various industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and transportation, among others.
AI has already demonstrated its potential to solve complex problems and automate tedious tasks, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings for businesses. It has also enabled advancements in fields such as natural language processing, image and speech recognition, and autonomous vehicles.
Moreover, AI is constantly evolving, and new breakthroughs are being made regularly. As more data becomes available and computing power increases, AI is likely to become even more powerful and capable of tackling even more complex problems.
Overall, AI is a significant and valuable technological advancement that is here to stay.
Q4.
Will AI destroy creativity?
I very much agree with ChatGPT here. I don’t think creativity will be negatively affected at all by AI. I think if anything, people will have the freedom to become more creative.
I think the future looks very promising, as many original thinkers and creatives who are outliers that might struggle with writing or never learnt music theory for example, now have the opportunity to write and compose using AI tools. Think about the way Grammarly and similar tools have unlocked written communication for some students. I think this will encourage people to utilise their gifts in areas that might have been inaccessible without a significant investment of time. For example, a talented musician could use an AI tool to code up a generative music project or create original artwork to accompany their songs.
I also think AI will give everyone the ability to have an outstanding personal assistant. This will unlock huge potential for students and staff to use the time they would have spent on admin etc, in more creative ways and make interesting connections. The results will perhaps be an increasing number of polymaths, where time isn’t the limiting factor, but interest and originality.
No, AI is not likely to destroy creativity. In fact, AI has the potential to enhance creativity in various ways. Here are a few ways in which AI can enhance creativity:
- Assistance in generating ideas: AI can help generate ideas and offer suggestions, allowing humans to explore a wider range of possibilities and combinations. AI can analyse data, identify patterns, and provide insights that can inspire creative thinking.
- Automating tedious tasks: AI can automate mundane tasks, such as data analysis and routine tasks, freeing up time for humans to focus on more creative tasks. This can help to reduce the burden on human creativity and allow for more innovative work.
- Collaboration between humans and machines: AI can work collaboratively with humans to enhance creativity. For example, AI can analyze data and generate initial ideas, while humans can refine those ideas, adding their own creativity and expertise to the process.
- Enabling new forms of creativity: AI can enable new forms of creativity by creating novel outputs that are beyond human imagination. For example, AI-generated artwork, music, and writing can provide inspiration and new perspectives.
However, it is important to note that creativity is a complex process that involves multiple factors, including imagination, originality, and emotional expression. While AI can enhance some aspects of creativity, it cannot replicate the full range of human creativity. In the end, human creativity is still essential for innovation, imagination, and emotional expression. Therefore, it is unlikely that AI will destroy creativity.
Q5.
Is AI harmful to young people?
I grew up, as many kids in my generation, writing BASIC. Back in the 60s, one of BASICs co-developers Prof. John G. Kemeny said “the coming of the computer will have a significant effect on all businesses and most private lives. Whether these effects will be fully favourable, as they could be, or in-part harmful, will depend on whether those who make policy decisions are aware of what computers can do and what they cannot do”.
I think the same stands over half a century later in terms of AI. The fascinating thing about Computer Science, despite the rapid change in technology, is that the fundamental first principles of logic and operation haven’t changed since John von Neumann. The same can be said for the arguments about its consequences on society. They are the same arguments and fears we had over 60 years ago.
In terms of this specific question, is AI harmful to young people? Well, we had a similar fear about my generation, the kids that grew up with the home computer, then there was the generation that grew up with the Internet, then the generation that grew up with the mobile phone and now the generation with AI.
AI is not inherently harmful to young people. In fact, AI can be beneficial to young people in many ways, such as providing educational opportunities, improving healthcare, and enhancing safety and security.
However, like any technology, AI can have negative effects if it is not used responsibly. Here are a few potential risks associated with AI that could harm young people:
- Bias and discrimination: AI algorithms can perpetuate biases and discrimination if they are trained on biassed data or programmed with biassed algorithms. This could lead to unfair treatment of certain groups of young people, particularly those from marginalised communities.
- Privacy and security: AI systems can collect and process large amounts of personal data, which could be used for malicious purposes if it falls into the wrong hands. Young people may be particularly vulnerable to these risks if their personal data is not adequately protected.
- Dependence on technology: Young people may become overly dependent on AI and technology in general, which could have negative effects on their social and emotional development. They may also become less capable of critical thinking and problem-solving if they rely too heavily on technology.
- Loss of jobs and opportunities: AI may lead to the automation of jobs and the displacement of workers, including young people. This could limit their job opportunities and lead to economic inequality.
Overall, AI is not inherently harmful to young people, but it is important to use it responsibly and mitigate potential risks. It is important to ensure that AI systems are designed and implemented in a way that promotes fairness, transparency, privacy, and security. It is also important to educate young people about the risks and benefits of AI and how to use it responsibly.
Tell me a joke!
What is an AI's favourite music?
Algo-rhythms!
Why did the human brain go to the gym?
To get more muscle memory!
What does the future hold?
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and the rise of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics is bringing about significant changes in the job market. PwC predicts that by 2030, up to 30 per cent of UK jobs are at risk of being taken over by robots and AI and that two thirds of primary school children will be doing jobs that don’t currently exist. As technology brings about revolutionary change to how people work, we need to equip future generations to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Creativity is a uniquely human and future-proof skill and we know that increasingly, employers are looking for the whole person and seeking creative minds to solve business problems. In tomorrow's workplace, being able to think creatively, communicate effectively, listen actively, and work collaboratively will be critical skills.
These skills will not only help students stand out in a crowded job market, but also enable them to adapt to the changing needs of the workforce.
At Headington, from U3 (Year 7) in Computer Science lessons pupils are already exploring image recognition and AI using Thunkable (an introduction to app building); this trend is set to continue!
Our Campaign for a Creative Thinking Future highlights the importance of nurturing creativity, encouraging critical thinking and problem solving, and developing the essential skills needed for success in the future.
After all, it's the students of today who will be shaping the world of tomorrow!