Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic idea — it is already a part of our daily lives. From Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars, AI is changing the way we live and work. But what about its impact on education? Will it be a game-changer, or a disaster in the making?
Let’s start with the positives. AI has the potential to revolutionise the way we learn. For instance, personalised learning experiences that cater to individual students’ needs can be created. AI can provide real-time feedback on student progress, enabling teachers to adapt their teaching strategies to better support individual students’ needs.
Additionally, AI can help to level the playing field for students who may not have access to traditional educational resources, such as textbooks, libraries, or experienced teachers.
On the flip side, there are also some concerns about the impact of AI on education. Some worry that AI could dehumanise the learning experience, creating a sterile environment that lacks the warmth and personal touch of human interaction. Others worry that AI could exacerbate existing inequalities, by favouring students who are already technologically savvy or financially advantaged.
So, what does this mean for our children’s education, including Jewish education? AI can help students to develop critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills through collaborative learning experiences. In addition, AI can provide access to a wider range of Jewish educational resources tailored to their individual interests and learning styles.
However, AI could also create a sense of disconnection from the human elements of Jewish education, such as the importance of community, tradition and personal relationships with teachers and mentors.
As parents and educators, it is our responsibility to embrace this new challenge and find ways to maximise the benefits of AI in schools. We need to work together to ensure that AI is used to support the education of our children, rather than detract from it.
This means equipping teachers with the necessary tools and training to effectively integrate AI into the classroom, and ensuring that our children have access to quality Jewish educational resources that align with our values.
Moreover, it is important to remember that AI is not a replacement for human interaction, but rather a tool to enhance it. Therefore, schools must continue to prioritise the importance of community, tradition and personal relationships with teachers and mentors.
Jewish education is not just about learning knowledge, but also about instilling moral awareness and social responsibility. AI can be used to reinforce these values, but it cannot replace the human elements that make Jewish education so unique and meaningful.
The impact of AI on education, including Jewish education, will depend on how we choose to use it. While there are certainly challenges ahead, there are also great opportunities for innovation and improvement. We need to embrace this new technology, while remaining vigilant to its potential drawbacks. If we work together as parents and educators, we can create a Jewish education system that is both innovative and human-centred, and one that instils in our children the knowledge, skills and values needed to succeed in an ever-changing world.
WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE by Rabbi David Meyer
Who better to write about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on education than ChatGPT? Every word of the article above was written by ChatGPT responding to our prompts and suggestions. Its composition is in itself a reflection of the capabilities of AI and in the view of PaJeS, it is a well-informed article.
As ChatGPT correctly recognises, AI is changing our lives and it will inevitably have an enormous impact on education. This is true not just of the way we will deliver lessons, but it will also force us to re-evaluate our priorities and the changing portfolio of skills our children will need in preparation for their future.
The purists among us may resist change, the more progressive may embrace it. However, AI is here to stay, and it will soon be as integrated into learning as a calculator is today. It is our duty to stay abreast and in control of developments and ensure it is used to enhance educational delivery without impinging on our values or priorities.
Rabbi Meyer is chief executive of PaJeS
