Ethical impact of Artificial Intelligence in education

Education involves enlightening a person or populace of a message. It could be done physically or via-internet e.g. classrooms, Google zoom etc. In other words, a place for transfer of knowledge could either be a hall, boardroom or garden and does not necessarily have to conform to an academic setting. In ancient times men wrote […]

Education involves enlightening a person or populace of a message. It could be done physically or via-internet e.g. classrooms, Google zoom etc. In other words, a place for transfer of knowledge could either be a hall, boardroom or garden and does not necessarily have to conform to an academic setting.

In ancient times men wrote on stones, human and animal skin to preserve knowledge because there were limited resources that could be used to conserve data. Now times have changed. Innovations and creations have come to displace the archaic means of keeping and storing record. One of these inventions is the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence is a contemporary initiative that was created to digitally aid and facilitate manpower. It is the creation of man that fosters research, economic and academic developments. The effort of great minds to put together this medium has globally garnered supports from private and government agencies. Thus, it has a widespread backing from all corners of the world.

Over the years, AI has proved to be an effective tool towards the execution of tasks. Both the young and matured minds resort to it to fast track their respective obligations. Governments in collaboration with corporations across the globe shook hands to ensuring that the people, particularly students, are skilled and intellectually active in the use of this technological advancement.

However, the launching and use of this application has faced global criticism and backlash. For example, it was recently debated, especially on social media that do the benefits of AI particularly Grok outweigh its negative impacts. This debate arose as a result of some individuals using the application to sexually assault people, particularly infants digitally.

Artificial Intelligence is a growing phenomenon that has proved its value. It poses to be efficient and effective in the execution of the daily activity of man. Frankly, it has come to stay. Nonetheless, it is not only right but sane to find mediums that will fill its existing lacunas that will deprive and detain digital pirates from exploiting it.

Africa is believed to be an enterprising region. It is one of the most populous and industrious countries in the world. Therefore, to curb the anomaly caused by digital criminals, corporations like Apple, Samsung, LG etc. whom are well associated with the creation of mobile phones, laptops amongst other gadgets, have made it mandatory to input various software that enables parents/guardians monitor and control the use of these electronic devices and the online activities of their children.

In legal parlance, a child is considered a minor. A minor is a person below the age of the majority. That is, a person whom has not attained 18 years. In this regard, it is expected that the affairs of such individual be closely monitored by his/her parents in order to shield the child from being exposed to unconventional internet activities.

Like every other invention, artificial intelligence is not without its pros and cons. One of its good sides is the access to a vast space of information for use while its disadvantage could be any of the aforementioned lacunae and that the artificial intelligence machine could give a similar or cloned responses to a particular information being sourced for by various users rather than provide a diverse form of information. As such, this slopes and hinders the efficient circulation of varieties and other view of intelligence.

The world is dynamic and it is projected that certain innovations will come to existence. It is estimated that some professions will become obsolete in the nearest future. In order  to guard this development, educational institutions should  employ measures that will enable students acquire soft and technical skills rather than become dependent or idly solicit for white-collar jobs.

 

Ayub O.  Mohammed, Esq can be reache via [email protected]