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AI @ Monsignor William Barry Memorial LIbrary: AI in Education

At the Monsignor William Barry Memorial Library, we embrace the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) to shape our daily lives. This page will provide resources and general guidance on AI for students, faculty and staff.

AI Students and its Usage.

AI Categories and Examples

  • Content Creation:

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    AI tools can assist with various content tasks, such as writing (Jasper, Anyword), grammar checking (Grammarly), and video creation (Runway, Descript). 

  • Other Productivity Tools:

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    AI assists with tasks like social media management (FeedHive, Vista Social), voice and music generation (ElevenLabs, Suno), and even task management (Asana, Any.do). 

  • Chatbots:

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    These conversational AI tools can answer questions, generate text, and more. Popular options include ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic's Claude, and Perplexity. 

  • Search Engines:

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    AI-powered search engines like Perplexity and Google AI Overviews provide more insightful search results. 

AI Platforms and Ecosystems:

AI and its role in Higher Education

A decade ago, we would have had to exponentially increase the number of college counselors in schools to exponentially increase the number of first-generation college students. With technology, we can have a bigger impact at a smaller cost, elevating the people who do the work and finding ways to put them in the highest-leverage situations.

Over the past few years, colleges have quietly rolled out chatbots to help students navigate areas as diverse as admissions and financial aid, IT support, academic advising, and career services. One such AI developer, AdmitHub (soon to be known as Mainstay), works with more than a hundred universities today to improve access and retention. And we’ve begun to see the impact that this technology can have on the increasingly intractable challenges facing students on their path to and through college.

AdmitHub’s work primarily employs AI using chatbots, artificially intelligent agents such as Siri and Alexa, which provide a user interface for AI and non-AI systems that use spoken or typed speech. Washington state is leveraging the benefits of AI to pioneer something new and different for students preparing to enter college: a digital infrastructure that wraps around in-person supports and affordably fills in gaps. It promises to be a national model. More complex agents, like the ones we’ve developed in Washington state, use Natural Language Processing (NLP) to parse human language and learn from previous conversations to improve their accuracy.

AdmitHub and Washington Student Achievement Council created Otterbot, a free texting service built to support 10,000 high school seniors who have signed up for the College Bound Scholarship and ensure that Washington state students have access to helpful financial aid resources any time they need support.

Unlike in most high schools, where overworked college counselors each must serve hundreds of students face-to-face each year, college bound students have access to Otterbot 24 hours a day, seven days a week, enabling them to receive periodic messages with need-to-know financial aid information, resources, suggestions, dates, and deadlines.

When a student gets a text from Otter, they reply directly to the message. Students can also query Otter by text at any time. If the app receives a question it can’t answer, it will send the message to a financial aid expert or other college admission staff member from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

While it’s still early, results from the program suggest that it’s making a difference. In the first year after Otterbot’s launch, students who interacted more frequently or received more messages from the chatbot were also more likely to have better outcomes (e.g., higher high school graduation and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates). More specifically, among students who asked Otterbot five or more questions, over 86% graduated from high school and over 60% completed the FAFSA.

The different types of AI tools

Advantages and disadvantages of AI in education

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in our daily lives, its effect on education calls for both enthusiasm and caution.

Supporters believe that AI offers great opportunities for personalized learning, making administrative tasks easier and bringing new ways to teach. However, there are still worries about privacy, fairness and the possibility of replacing traditional teaching jobs.

A study by the Digital Education Council found that 86% of students admit to using AI in their studies. To further that, 24% use it daily and 54% use it weekly.  

What is artificial intelligence in education?

Artificial intelligence in education refers to the use of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence to enhance learning experiences, streamline administrative processes, and support educators. AI technologies include machine learning, natural language processing and robotics, which can personalize learning by adapting content and pace to individual student needs. This personalized approach helps address diverse learning styles and paces, ensuring that each student receives the attention and resources they need to succeed.

In addition to personalized learning, AI can assist educators by automating administrative tasks. By reducing the time spent on these repetitive tasks, teachers can focus more on instruction and student engagement. AI-powered tools can also provide insights into student performance and progress, enabling early intervention for those who may be struggling and recognizing those who excel. This data-driven approach allows for more informed decision-making and tailored support for students.

AI in education can facilitate innovative teaching methods and interactive learning environments. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to transform education by making it more accessible, efficient and personalized becomes increasingly evident.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Education

The role of Artificial Intelligence in education is rapidly transforming how students learn and how educators teach. AI-powered tools enable personalized learning experiences, adapting content and pace to meet individual student needs. Intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading and virtual assistants enhance both teaching efficiency and student engagement. By analyzing learning patterns, AI can also help identify struggling students early, allowing for timely intervention and support. 

Another key aspect of the role of AI in education is its ability to improve accessibility and inclusivity. AI-driven platforms can provide real-time translations, speech-to-text capabilities and adaptive learning materials for students with disabilities. Moreover, educators benefit from AI by gaining data-driven insights into curriculum effectiveness and student performance. As the technology continues to evolve, AI holds the potential to create more equitable and effective educational environments worldwide. 

The advantages of artificial intelligence in education

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing various sectors and education is no exception. The integration of AI in education has brought about significant changes that enhance learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks and support both students and educators in various ways.

Personalized learning

AI enables personalized learning by tailoring educational content to meet the unique needs of each student. Through adaptive learning technologies, artificial intelligence can analyze a student's strengths, weaknesses, learning pace and preferences. This data allows AI systems to provide customized lesson plans and resources, ensuring that students receive instruction that is best suited to their individual learning styles. As a result, students can progress at their own pace, which helps to improve understanding and retention of material.

Immersive learning experiences

Artificial intelligence has the potential to create immersive learning experiences that engage students in ways traditional methods cannot. Technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) powered by AI can simulate real-world scenarios and complex concepts, making learning more interactive and enjoyable. For instance, students can explore historical sites, conduct virtual science experiments or practice language skills with AI-driven avatars, providing a hands-on learning experience that enhances comprehension and retention.

Improved student engagement and motivation

AI creating immersive learning experiences also can result in boosting student engagement and motivation by making learning more interactive and personalized. Gamified learning platforms, powered by AI, incorporate game elements such as rewards, challenges and leaderboards to make learning fun and competitive. Additionally, artificial intelligence can provide instant feedback and support, helping students stay motivated and focused on their learning goals. By addressing individual needs and offering real-time assistance, AI helps maintain student interest and encourages active participation.

Cost-effective learning

AI can make education more cost-effective by automating administrative tasks and providing scalable learning solutions. For example, artificial intelligence can handle routine tasks such as grading assignments, scheduling and managing student records, freeing up time for educators to focus on teaching. Additionally, AI-powered educational platforms can reach a large number of students with minimal additional cost, making high-quality education accessible to a broader audience. This scalability helps reduce the overall cost of education and ensures that more students can benefit from quality learning experiences.

Integrated learning and intelligent tutoring system

AI-driven intelligent tutoring systems offer personalized guidance and support to students, mimicking one-on-one tutoring. These systems use data analytics to understand a student's learning progress and provide targeted feedback and recommendations. They can identify knowledge gaps, suggest relevant resources and adjust the difficulty level of tasks to match the student's abilities. By offering tailored support and continuous assessment, artificial intelligence helps students achieve their learning objectives more effectively.

Continuous evaluation and improvement in the long run

AI facilitates continuous evaluation and improvement by providing real-time insights into student learning performance and learning outcomes. Through data analytics, AI can track student progress, identify trends and highlight areas for improvement. Educators can use this information to refine teaching strategies, develop personalized interventions and ensure that learning objectives are being met. Continuous evaluation enables a proactive approach to education, where adjustments can be made promptly to enhance the learning experience and outcomes.

Raising academic standards and educational quality

The integration of AI in education has the potential to raise academic standards and improve the overall quality of education. Artificial intelligence can help ensure consistency and accuracy in grading, provide access to high-quality resources and support educators in delivering effective instruction. By leveraging AI technologies, educational institutions can offer a more rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that meets the evolving needs of students. AI can facilitate collaborative learning environments, where students and educators can share knowledge and resources, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

The advantages of AI in education are manifold, ranging from personalized and immersive learning experiences to cost-effective and high-quality education. As AI continues to evolve, its role in transforming education will become increasingly significant, offering new opportunities for students and educators alike.

The disadvantages of artificial intelligence in education

As artificial intelligence continues to integrate into various sectors, its application in education is both celebrated and scrutinized. While AI holds significant potential to transform learning experiences, it also presents several disadvantages that need careful consideration that must be addressed to ensure a balanced and effective learning environment.

Data Privacy Concerns

One of the primary disadvantages of AI in education is the issue of data privacy. AI systems often require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively, including students' academic records, behavioural data and even biometric information. This extensive data collection raises significant concerns about how this information is stored, used and protected. Inadequate safeguards can lead to data breaches, exposing sensitive student information to unauthorized parties and potentially resulting in identity theft or other forms of misuse. Ensuring robust data privacy measures and compliance with regulations is key to protecting students' information.

Dependence On Technology

Another major concern is the growing dependence on technology that AI in education fosters. As educational institutions increasingly rely on AI-driven tools for teaching, assessment and administrative tasks, there is a risk of becoming overly dependent on these technologies. This dependence can lead to significant disruptions in the event of technical failures or cyber-attacks. Furthermore, it may also diminish the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, as they may become accustomed to AI systems providing answers and solutions.

Lack of Human Touch/Dehumanized Learning Experience

The lack of human touch is a critical disadvantage of AI in education, leading to a dehumanized learning experience. Traditional education relies heavily on human interaction, with teachers providing not only academic instruction but also emotional support and mentorship. AI systems, while efficient, cannot replicate the empathy, understanding and personal connection that human educators offer. This absence of human elements can affect students' social and emotional development, as well as their overall engagement and motivation in the learning process.

Risk Of Cheating

AI in education also raises the risk of cheating. Advanced AI tools can be exploited by students to find ways to bypass academic integrity measures. For instance, AI-powered plagiarism detection systems may themselves be outsmarted by sophisticated AI-generated content that mimics genuine student work. Additionally, AI-based tutoring systems and automated assessments might be manipulated to provide undue assistance, undermining the fairness and integrity of academic evaluations. Schools and institutions must continuously adapt and update their AI tools to mitigate these risks.

Teacher Job Displacement

Lastly, the rise of AI in education brings the concern of teacher job displacement. As AI systems take on more roles traditionally filled by educators, there is a fear that teachers may become obsolete. Automated grading, AI-driven tutoring, and administrative tasks handled by AI could reduce the need for human teachers, leading to job losses and a devaluation of the teaching profession. While AI can certainly support and enhance educational practices, it is essential to balance its implementation to ensure that teachers remain integral to the educational process, providing the human touch that technology cannot replace.

Pros and Cons of AI in Education

Pros of AI in Education

  • Personalized learning: Tailors content to individual student needs and learning styles. 
  • 24/7 availability: AI-powered tools like chatbots and virtual tutors offer support anytime. 
  • Automated grading: Saves teachers time and increases grading efficiency. 
  • Data-driven insights: Helps educators identify student strengths, weaknesses, and progress trends. 

Cons of AI in Education

  • Lack of human interaction: May reduce meaningful student-teacher engagement. 
  • Privacy concerns: Collecting and storing student data raises ethical and security issues. 
  • Bias in algorithms: AI systems may reflect or reinforce existing biases in data. 
  • Dependence on technology: Over-reliance may hinder critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

AI Usage and popularity.

n a recent survey from the Digital Education Council, a global alliance of universities and industry representatives focused on education innovation, the majority of students (86%) said they use artificial intelligence in their studies. And they are using it regularly: Twenty-four percent reported using AI daily; 54% daily or weekly; and 54% on at least a weekly basis.

For its 2024 Global AI Student Survey, the Digital Education Council gathered 3,839 responses from bachelor, masters, and doctorate students across 16 countries. The students represented multiple fields of study.

On average, surveyed students use 2.1 AI tools for their courses. ChatGPT remains the most common tool used, cited by 66% of respondents, followed by Grammarly and Microsoft Copilot (each 25%). The most common use cases:

  • Search for information (69%);
  • Check grammar (42%);
  • Summarize documents (33%);
  • Paraphrase a document (28%); and
  • Create a first draft (24%).

Despite their wide use of AI tools, students were not confident about their AI literacy, the survey found. Fifty-eight percent of students reporting feeling that they do not have sufficient AI knowledge and skills, and 48% felt inadequately prepared for an AI-enabled workforce. Notably, 80% of surveyed students said their university's integration of AI tools (whether that be integration into teaching and learning, student and faculty training, course topics, or other areas) does not fully meet their expectations.

Students' top AI expectations included:

  • Universities should provide training for both faculty and students on the effective use of AI tools (cited by 73% and 72% of respondents, respectively);
  • Universities should offer more courses on AI literacy (72%);
  • Universities should involve students in the decision-making process regarding which AI tools are implemented (71%); and
  • Universities should increase the use of AI in teaching and learning (59%).

"The rise in AI usage forces institutions to see AI as core infrastructure rather than a tool," commented Alessandro Di Lullo, CEO of the Digital Education Council and Academic Fellow in AI Governance at The University of Hong Kong. At the same time, he said, "universities need to consider how to effectively boost AI literacy to equip both students and academics with the skills to succeed in an AI-driven world."

The full report is available here on the Digital Education Council site.