Tiou Clarke | AI in collaborative learning and research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its associated technologies have cemented their place in most of our industries. AI is now a force that many companies are embracing for its transformative capabilities while others are worried about its potential for destruction.

AI has shown the world that it is capable of both great good and great harm. Human-AI interactions are part of the emerging trends in research that many professionals are struggling to understand as the changes are occurring at a rate that many institutions are not capable of keeping up with.

RESEARCH CAPABILITIES

AI tools such as Bard, Perplexity, Copilot, and ChatGPT-4 are now capable of utilising key terminologies to locate credible research papers. For instance, ChatGPT-4 includes a feature that enables developers to create add-on tools or plugins that perform additional tasks based on a user’s prompt.

Examples of these plugins include Expedia, which allows users to input prompts into ChatGPT to compare flights, hotels, etc, and find the best rates; ScholarAI, which searches the Internet for scholarly articles related to a topic and provides a summary of the paper, proper citation, and a direct link to the page; and AskYourPDF, a newly added feature that enables the side-by-side comparison of research papers. Consequently, students and researchers can now review and synthesize a significantly larger volume of literature in a shorter time.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR RESEARCHERS?

The conventional skills taught for sourcing information may become obsolete. Students and researchers will need to master crafting precise prompts that trigger the plugins to locate usable sources for their research. The primary task for researchers will be to validate these sources by checking their publication venues to assess their impact.

The challenge of sifting through research papers is mitigated by tools like AskYourPDF or PDF.ai, which allow users to interact directly with the research paper to obtain the information they need. Researchers can inquire about the findings of the paper, the research method used, or even request a summary of the paper. In essence, the time required to conduct research and the duration of research degrees in this modern era are expected to decrease significantly. The question remains: Are tertiary institutions keeping pace with AI technology trends?

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Research published in scholarly journals underscores the significance of integrating AI technologies into classroom activities.

Many institutions in Jamaica are opposed to integrating AI technology, viewing it as a potential distraction from learning essential skills that prepare learners for the workforce. Some argue that reliance on AI tools could weaken real intellectual development.

These perspectives are valid and warrant careful consideration when integrating AI tools into educational settings. Administrators, researchers, and those staying abreast of AI technologies should think about several critical questions:

1. What are the essential hard and soft skills learners need to thrive in a technology-driven era?

2. How is technology transforming the current workplace?

3. How well do I understand this technology, and how comfortable am I using it?

4. What is the anticipated future of AI-human interaction?

By engaging in thorough research and introspection, all stakeholders in the educational and research sectors can discern the types of technology that should be integrated into classrooms. This approach aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary to effectively utilise technology in the modern digital age, ensuring that they are prepared for the demands of the future workforce.

FUTURE OF COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

AI and its associated technologies are here to stay, signalling that many job roles, industries, and mindsets will continue to evolve as technology advances. In the past, concepts like touchscreen phones and virtual reality seemed far-fetched to many. Yet, today, we have smart devices capable of managing a company’s entire network infrastructure, and virtual reality technologies that can simulate entire worlds through a single pair of goggles.

The Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s inaugural spatial computer, is among the first devices to offer a complete virtual experience, allowing users to transform any space into a workstation or a movie theatre for enjoying 3D films. This shift towards immersive environments, with less emphasis on physical interaction, suggests a potential increase in asocial behaviour due to these technological advancements. The rise of remote work is a testament to this technological progression, marking a departure from the traditional social interactions once commonplace among previous generations. We are now entering the era of augmented reality.

Jamaican educational institutions are at a crossroads, necessitating a thorough evaluation of their current structures, workforce, and capabilities to stay relevant in an ever-changing technological landscape. Students are more adept at using technology than many of their educators, highlighting a need for teachers to acquaint themselves with new and emerging technologies.

Teachers have a variety of innovative methods at their disposal to integrate AI technology into their lessons, enhancing both engagement and learning outcomes. One effective approach is through gamification, where tools like ArtBot can be employed to teach the fundamental principles of AI and Machine Learning, thereby fostering critical thinking among students. Additionally, several AI-infused technologies offer unique opportunities for interactive learning:

1. Thinker Math: This platform leverages human interaction to tutor students in mathematics, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging.

2. Brainly: Acting as a social media platform for classroom inquiries, Brainly encourages students to ask and answer questions, promoting a collaborative learning environment.

3. Cognii: A virtual learning assistant that supports tutoring by providing personalised feedback and guidance, enhancing the learning experience for students.

Another method to stimulate critical thinking is through tutorial activities facilitated by technology. For instance, teachers can use a projector to display a question entered on ChatGPT, projecting the AI-generated answer for the class. This strategy not only introduces students to AI in a practical context, but also challenges them to formulate their own unique responses, which they can defend through critical analysis. Such interactive and AI-driven approaches not only make learning more engaging, but also prepare students for a future where technology and human intellect coalesce.

The integration of AI in collaborative learning and research signifies a transformative shift in educational paradigms, presenting unparalleled opportunities to enhance teaching methodologies and the efficacy of research. However, this transformation necessitates a thorough evaluation of educational frameworks and the cultivation of new competencies among both educators and learners. Adopting AI in education requires a judicious approach, while also addressing ethical concerns to ensure that technology augments rather than supplants human intelligence.

Tiou Clarke, PhD, is a lecturer in the School of Business Administration at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com