The Rise of AI
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is ushering in a new era where machines can learn and perform tasks that were once the sole domain of human beings. We have seen remarkable progress in areas such as computer vision, robotic control and, more recently, generative AI and large language models (LLMs). These advancements have revolutionised how we interact with technology, enabling machines to generate humanlike text, images and more.
At last month’s Computex 2024 conference, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that “everything we can learn, we can now generate”. He also unveiled the company’s Earth-2 project – an open platform which accelerates climate and weather predictions with AI, assisting people in anticipating extreme weather-related risks and mitigating their impact.
Impact on Education
Humanoid robots such as Atlas and Optimus already possess advanced capabilities that are not merely matching but surpassing human abilities in some aspects. This technological revolution is dramatically altering the future of work, highlighting the urgent need to reimagine education and skill development for the next generation.
What does AI advancement mean for the future of education and our society? The need for profound changes to our education system to empower young people to thrive in the new era and tackle the challenges that come with it has never been greater.
Many facets of our current education system might appear outdated amid the rapid advancements in AI. For instance, budding innovators who can unleash their imagination and possess a deep appreciation of the arts will surpass those who solely hone basic skills. This shift extends beyond innovators; anyone aspiring to excel in their chosen field will need these interdisciplinary skills.
Universities must play a pivotal role in nurturing these abilities in students, with teachers evolving their roles to focus more on facilitation and mentoring. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been at the forefront of embracing this change. When ChatGPT launched, rather than banning it, HKUST encouraged professors to adopt AI for innovative teaching.
Project-Based Learning
Perhaps the biggest impact AI makes in education will be on project-based learning. Pioneered by Olin College, it is a transformative approach that emphasises applying knowledge through real-world projects, fostering critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Students engage in hands-on projects from their first year, working on interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems and gain essential skills for innovation and career success.
Traditional project-based learning can be expensive and resource-intensive to scale, but LLMs and AI offer a solution. AI can act as a teacher and a team member, providing personalised guidance, virtual collaboration, real-time feedback and efficient resource management. This makes project-based learning more accessible and scalable, preparing students for the complexities of the modern world.
Challenges and Regulation
While embracing the benefits AI can offer, we must also be aware of its potential dangers. In 2023, a group of technology experts signed a letter calling for an immediate pause in AI research and development, citing “profound risks to society and humanity” that need regulation.
Few significant actions have been taken to curb AI’s advancement, though. Despite calls for caution, pioneers are pushing ahead and forcing others to keep pace. This competitive atmosphere can generate fear among leaders that they are losing their edge.
To address AI’s potential threats, we must acknowledge and effectively manage emerging crises. Additionally, there is an urgent need for a powerful international body to regulate AI development and application. Such an institution is unfortunately lacking as countries are instead focused on their own interests at a time when tackling the challenges of AI requires global cooperation.
Future of Work
A persistent worry as we enter the era of AI is the potential for widespread unemployment as firms replace humans with AI in a number of tasks. Historically, the waves of unemployment triggered by industrial revolutions were mostly temporary. New technologies brought about new fields and opportunities, ultimately creating more jobs.
This concept resonates with the often-quoted notion, “The more I learn, the more I realise how much I don’t know.” Each revolution expands our circle of knowledge and the boundaries of new opportunities. For instance, the industrial revolution replaced the agrarian era while also introducing many opportunities previously unimagined.
Such a perspective might be why many people are optimistic about the opportunities AI will bring. However, I am less optimistic. What distinguishes this revolution is that AI development is explicitly aimed at replacing humans in many tasks. Even if current AI technologies create new opportunities for humans, new AI advancements will quickly emerge to replace those roles.
Thus, it seems almost certain the loss of job opportunities will be a permanent trend. This could steer societal development in dramatically different directions, such as the implementation of universal basic income and other solutions we might not yet be able to envision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is imperative that we navigate this transformative era with foresight and responsibility. The advancements in AI hold the promise of great benefits but also significant challenges which cannot be ignored.
The potential for job displacement, the ethical implications of autonomous systems and the need for robust international regulation are critical issues demanding our attention. Only by fostering global cooperation, reimagining education and addressing AI’s socioeconomic impact can we harness its power to create a future that benefits all of humanity.
Wang Yang is vice-president for institutional advancement at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He is also a chair professor of mathematics
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