Academia believes there are several positive impacts from using artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. AI can enhance the learning and teaching process while helping students develop valuable skills and competencies. However, the research also highlights some potential downsides of AI implementation. There are concerns about negative psychosocial effects on students and faculty. Data security and privacy issues arise with the collection and use of personal data for AI systems. Ethical questions emerge around the appropriate use of AI in education settings (Pisica et al., 2023).

There is an intense and heated debate taking place regarding the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) across many different areas and industries. On one side are strong advocates who promote the potential advantages of AI. On the other side are determined critics who raise concerns about the disadvantages, threats, or risks that AI could create for us as individuals, for businesses, or for societies at large. However, the debate surrounding AI in higher education is particularly prominent.

Impact of AI on Higher Education

AI is making big changes in higher education, touching everything from operations, student learning, research, and employees. Let’s dive into some examples:

• Administration: AI tools are streamlining tasks like admissions and student management. Some worry this could lead to less human interaction and a lack of personal touch in the administrative process (Abdous, 2023).

• Teaching: AI can offer personalized learning experiences and help with grading too. Generative AI (Gen-AI) not only learns from previous data but can also produce new data.   This means that AI not only helps with the grading process and providing feedback to students, but it may produce entire teaching materials, articles, and blogs too, which will definitely kill some creativity. There is some fear it might replace human teachers altogether, raising concerns about the quality of education and the loss of jobs in the teaching sector.

• Learning: Students’ performance can be predicted using AI-driven tools, which can then offer tailored recommendations for remediation or further success.  There is a concern that reliance on AI could hinder critical thinking skills and creativity among students.

• Research: AI assists researchers in analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying trends.  Critics worry that this might lead to a dependence on AI-generated insights, potentially stifling innovation and originality in research (Abdous, 2023).

Potential Challenges and Drawbacks of AI Implementation in Higher Education 

• Impact on employment: In areas like admissions, administrative support, instructional design, teaching, and IT support, the increasing adoption of AI technologies has the potential to streamline operations and automate repetitive tasks. While this can lead to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness for institutions, it also raises concerns about the future of employment in these sectors. For example, AI-powered systems can handle tasks like data analysis for admissions and student management, reducing the need for manual processing and decision-making by human staff. Similarly, in instructional design and teaching, AI-enabled platforms offer personalized learning experiences and automated grading, potentially diminishing the need for as many human instructors. Moreover, the integration of AI in IT support functions could lead to more efficient troubleshooting and maintenance processes, requiring fewer human technicians (Power, 2024).

• Privacy Concerns: The proliferation of AI technologies in educational settings raises important questions about data security and privacy. While these systems offer invaluable insights and personalized experiences for students, they also pose potential risks if proper safeguards are not in place (Pisica et al., 2023). For instance, AI algorithms analyzing student performance data may inadvertently reveal sensitive details about individual learners, raising concerns about confidentiality and data transparency. Moreover, the collection and storage of large datasets by AI systems can increase the likelihood of data breaches or cyberattacks, putting student privacy at risk.

• Cost of Implementing AI: Bringing AI-powered tools into academic settings often necessitates significant investments in infrastructure, software, and staff training. From the procurement of cutting-edge hardware and software to the recruitment of skilled personnel capable of implementing and managing AI systems, to ongoing maintenance and updates, and even providing specialized training programs for faculty and staff, the cost associated with integrating AI into higher education can quickly escalate (Pisica et al., 2023).

• Dependability: One of the key concerns with AI algorithms is their susceptibility to bias and error. These systems rely on training data to make predictions or decisions, and if the data is incomplete or skewed, it can lead to inaccuracies or disparities in outcomes. For instance, AI grading systems may struggle to accurately assess the quality of student work, especially in disciplines that require nuanced interpretation or creativity.

Potential Benefits and Opportunities of AI in Higher Education

AI not only has disadvantages, but it also has advantages that can prove to be helpful if used properly in Higher Education. Here are a few examples:

• Virtual Reality Enhanced Learning: Using virtual reality (VR) technology in online learning platforms can be a great way to keep them engaged. VR can create immersive educational experiences that feel like stepping into a different world, which is something students are already familiar with. By combining VR with online learning, teachers can use tools that students understand and enjoy (Crompton & Burke, 2023).

• Customized Educational Approaches: With online learning, teachers can tailor lessons to fit each student’s strengths and weaknesses. This means students can learn at their own pace and focus on areas where they need extra help, which makes learning more effective and enjoyable (Power, 2024).

• Analytical Classroom Insights:  With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or programming languages like Pandas-AI, teachers can analyze large amounts of students’ data quickly and efficiently. These tools and software can spot patterns and trends in students’ performance, helping teachers understand what works best in the classroom. This way, teachers can adjust their teaching methods to meet students’ needs and improve learning outcomes.

• Interactive Learning Games:  Teachers can use quizzes, badges, or leaderboards to motivate and keep students engaged. AI technology can enhance this approach by personalizing the gaming experience for each student based on their performance and preferences. By making learning feel like a game, students are more likely to stay focused and motivated to learn (Pisica et al., 2023).

The Best Ways to Handle AI

In preparing for the integration of AI into higher education, academic institutions must take several crucial steps to ensure a balanced and responsible approach.

Transparency: There should be discussions across the institution gauged to address the implications of AI use in different aspects of the institution, with the understanding of both the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies. Transparency is key here, with topics including data ownership, intellectual property rights, data security, and the protection of individuals’ privacy requiring thorough consideration (Abdous, 2023).

Collaborating: Institutions should actively explore the incorporation of AI across various academic disciplines by identifying opportunities for integrating AI applications and skills into the curriculum.  By infusing AI skills into diverse fields of study, institutions can prepare students for the evolving landscape of technology and innovation (Abdous, 2023).

Special Research Program: Academic institutions should think about setting up special research programs that involve different areas of study to look into how AI affects society, ethics, and education. These discussions could cover a wide range of topics, from AI’s influence on interpersonal interactions to the ethical concerns within education (Abdous, 2023). By studying these issues from different perspectives, institutions can better understand the complex advantages and disadvantages that AI presents in higher education and beyond.

Considering everything, the integration of AI in higher education is rapidly advancing, bringing both potential advantages and disadvantages. While AI can enhance certain areas, jobs, and aspects of higher education, it can also diminish them and pose various concerns and fears. To help combat these things, institutions must engage in open and transparent discussions to understand AI’s benefits and limitations. Ultimately, higher education institutions need to proactively adapt and strategically leverage AI technologies while prioritizing ethical considerations and safeguarding the interests of students, faculty, and the broader community.

If you an specific questions about AI and its uses at SCSU, please reach out the SCSU Online via email.  If you are interested in learning about the AI tools and software available at SCSU contact us for more information via email or through Bookings.

Additional Reading:

For more information on any of the following topics, please check out our previous blog articles.

• How Educational Technology Can Improve the Exam Experience
• The Metaverse and the Virtual Campus for Online Learning
• Software in the Classroom and Its Approval for Use

References:

Abdous, M. (2023, March 21). How AI is shaping the future of higher ed. Inside Higher Ed.
https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2023/03/22/how-ai-shaping-future-higher-ed-opinion

Cameron, J. M. (2020). Person writing on notebook [Photograph]. Pexels.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-notebook-4144923/

Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence in higher education: the state of the field. International Journal of
Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00392-8

Pisica, A. I., Edu, T., Zaharia, R. M., & Zaharia, R. (2023). Implementing artificial intelligence in higher education:
Pros and cons from the perspectives of academics. Societies, 13(5), 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13050118

Power, R. (2024, February 4). 3 innovative use cases for AI in higher education. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rhettpower/2024/02/04/3-innovative-case-uses-for-ai-in-higher-education/?sh=4c1474bd29f8

 

Nirajan Rijal is currently working as a Graduate Assistant in the SCSU Online & Distance Learning department. He has more than 3 years of working experience in data analysis. Apart from his professional background, he loves to travel and learn about different cultures. In his travels, he tries different foods and wants to mindfully and spiritually experience different places.