Harnessing Ethical AI to Bridge Global Educational Gaps: Starting Simple

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is frequently seen as a threat to education, with students increasingly relying on its omniscient know-how for everything from test answers to homework assistance and essay writing. When used unethically, AI can hinder education and learning, creating a system where students are no longer learning alongside but rather from it. However, despite these issues, there are ethical ways that AI can be used to close the achievement gaps in education on a global scale.

What Is the Achievement Gap Problem?

What exactly is the achievement gap? To put it simply, decades of statistical analysis and data compilation show that ethnic minorities, people of color, members of the LGTBQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and those facing economic disadvantages within their respective countries tend to perform significantly lower in school and achieve less throughout their lifetime.

This overarching achievement gap can be broken down into two categories: a) achievement gaps within education systems and b) achievement gaps between education systems.

To address an achievement gap within an education system, consider a non-Catalan-speaking student in Barcelona, Spain who lacks the necessary assistance and resources to succeed academically. On the other hand, an example of an achievement gap between educational systems is the disparity in teaching quality across schools in the USA, which differs greatly based on the area’s income bracket. 

A low-income area means low funding for schools. But a high-income area means higher funding for schools, which in turn equates to higher teacher salaries, more support networks, more supplies, better learning environments, and so on. AI obviously can’t change people’s incomes, identities, or backgrounds, but it can play a crucial role in leveling the playing field. 

How Can AI Bridge the Achievement Gaps?

There are several methods by which AI can be ethically used in education to close these gaps. One significant approach is through implementation of big-picture programs that analyze individual student success. These programs have the capability to adapt to students’ needs in online assessments, offering personalized learning experiences. Additionally, AI-powered programs can provide interactive games and quizzes based on the curriculum and individual learning styles of students. 

However, it is important to note that such technology usually requires school investments, regulations, approval processes, and data protection policies for minors. The time and money invested can yield long-term benefits, but in the meantime, schools and educators can begin small-scale implementation. 

It’s also important to note that some technologies and systems may not be inherently inclusive in their learning software and data systems, creating harmful biases and inequalities. The bottom line is that when using AI to combat inequalities, the system must not harbor biased or inequitable information. Such a scenario would be completely counterintuitive. 

Finally, to start small, the primary focus of interventions should be on amplifying resources and promoting accessibility. There are several free applications and websites that enable educators to use the school’s curriculum to create worksheets, schedules, learning plans, and engaging classroom games. By doing so, teachers can save time without compromising the quality of student learning, particularly in situations where resources and funding are limited. 

Additionally, to improve accessibility, educators can use automated closed captioning and screen and reading technologies to help students with auditory or visual impairments grasp the material alongside their peers. Real-time AI-powered translators are also fantastic tools for multilingual students or students who are learning the language.

Conclusion

Closing the achievement gap remains an ongoing battle, but if we can properly harness to bridge these gaps, regardless of their magnitude, equitable access can slowly improve globally. The use of AI in education still has a long way to go to ensure equity representation and ethical use. Nevertheless, we can start with a small scale. If used properly, AI can make education more accessible worldwide for both students and teachers with diverse needs.

References

Ansell, S. E. (2004, September 10). Achievement Gap. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/achievement-gap/2004/09

Hernandez, A. (2022). Closing the Achievement Gap in the Classroom Through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. Journal of Education and Learning, 2, 1. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v11n2p1