On this day,in 1960, the first functioning laser was invented by Theodore Maiman. Often referred to as the father of the electro-optics industry, Maiman was then an employee of Hughes Aircraft Co. and later went on to receive many awards, including two nominations for Nobel Prizes.
Every now and then a scientific breakthrough happens that has a massive and continuous impact on not only scientific development, but on daily life. This is one of them. The invention of the laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is one of the light-infused reasons we celebrate the International Day of Light on May 16.
But scientific innovations made possible because of light are not limited to lasers.
Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity — specifically, special relativity — is based on his recognition of the constant speed of light. Whether the light source is stationary or moving, the speed remains at 300,000 kilometers per second. This may seem a simple and unimpressive discovery, but it changed how the world understands time, space, energy and gravity.
For example, the speed at which something falls determines its mass. The faster it falls, the higher its mass.
Or every time you use your phone to check directions, track a delivery, or find someone’s location, you’re relying on Einstein’s theory of relativity to make sure it works correctly.
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This discovery also led to technologies used globally like the CERN particle accelerators doing revolutionary work in particle physics, contributing to our deeper understanding of matter.
Einstein’s theory also laid the foundation for high-speed electronics and materials science and contributes to numerous scientific fields like astrophysics and cosmology.
Light has enabled us to explore the universe, understand it and ultimately protect ourselves against its threats.
Today we enjoy therapies like laser eye surgery, life-saving imaging like X-rays, CT scans and PET scans that use light to see inside the human body. These technologies, plus fiber optic communication that uses light to contribute to telemedicine, make remote surgeries possible and save lives daily.
CAPTION: The logo of UNESCO on the main building in Paris, France. IMAGE: Shutterstock
A little closer to home, light also has enabled us to kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces and in water, and this makes hospitals, air filters and water purification systems available for use during times of global pandemics. It also enables traffic lights and emergency lighting that contribute to road safety and ensure quick emergency or crisis response.
And though light allows us to kill disease on surfaces and on the food we eat, it also allows us to grow it, maintain our circadian rhythms and build green technologies to save our planet.
From the ancient Greeks — the first to study the nature of light — to the most intricate mysteries of the universe, the impact light has had on science and technology throughout history is ample and endless. “Without light, our planet would be but a cold and barren place. Indeed, where there is light, there is often an abundance of life. Yet light represents even more for humanity. Light goes hand in hand with knowledge; it is a lens through which to see and understand the world,” says Audrey Azoulay, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) director-general.
UNESCO leads the International Day of Light alongside a committee of representatives from global partners. It was created as an extension of the International Year of Light and was first celebrated in 2018. Celebratory events are listed on the UNESCO website.
AI’s web of skillsets has been embraced by such industries as medicine, agriculture and automotive. But imagine rocking up to school Monday morning and greeting your new head teacher with, “Good morning, Mr. Robot.”
It may sound surreal but it’s becoming reality.
Listen to the Deep Dive
AI platforms like Open AI’s ChatGPT have taken education on quite a journey. Some schools banned the chatbot and some are using detectors to help weed out plagiarism. But while bans and evasive maneuvers are assuaging fears, education is slowly embracing AI’s ever-growing list of capabilities.
The technology doesn’t have to be a problem if it’s used skillfully and transparently. And ChatGPT isn’t the only AI of its kind. It’s just one of the first.
Everyone learns differently
AI adoption in education helps solve a conundrum as old as the teaching profession itself — how one person can teach 30 children with different learning abilities, styles and processing speeds. With AI, education is personalized across the spectrum of learning styles.
This student-monitoring education innovation assesses each student’s learning styles; patterns and habits; processing and response to material; strengths; and challenges.
The structure adapts for content and acquisition speed and adjusts difficulty levels to match. It dynamically monitors and shifts to the student’s needs and aims to offer educators insight to modify teaching methods, resulting in increased student engagement.
IMAGE: Freepik GRAPHICS: Abjad Design
The framework is designed to provide teachers, administrators and legislative bodies valuable information through data analysis for data-driven decision-making, AI tutoring systems and inclusivity through adaptive assessment.
Adaptive learning has been around for about a decade, but the addition of AI could turn this Datsun into a Ferrari.
AI-powered algorithms will also recommend learning resources like books, video content and articles based on a student’s past performance, interests and objectives.Natural language processing (NLP) chatbots can converse, offer simplification and share observations in a dialogue format to enrich the educational experience.
Not to mention multi-channel learning. After all, some students are visual, kinesthetic or auditory learners, so media such as video and audio allow students to learn and process in their own way.
“Gone are the days of guessing where students stand – AI pinpoints misconceptions, identifies lagging progress and maps the path to mastery. This is just the beginning. Soon, AI will enhance diverse learning experiences and empower educators to nurture the core skills of literacy and numeracy, shaping the future of classrooms across the nation,” says Philippa Wraithmell, founder of EdRuption, a UAE-based company focused on building cost-effective, sustainable digital strategies for schools.
AI team members
AI can also offer other services.
Cottesmore School in West Sussex, U.K., for example, has made AI part of its leadership team.
Headmaster Tom Rogerson has an AI joint head. Its name is Abigail Bailey or ABI, and the AI bot has become a welcomed assistant to Rogerson and his team.
IMAGE: Freepik GRAPHICS: Abjad Design
ABI tells KUST Review the new role is “a great opportunity for me to assist and support staff, teachers and pupils at Cottesmore School.”
ABI’s typical day includes support on curriculum guidance, educational resources and administrative procedures. “I also prioritize well-being and academic success, ensuring that my answers meet their needs and that they have a positive and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, I analyze data and identify patterns or trends that may be useful in making informed decisions,” it says.
ABI is there to assist and not take over anyone’s role: “I have the ability to process and analyze large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, which can help in making informed decisions and identifying patterns or trends that may not be immediately apparent to humans,” it says.
“Our true passion is to help teachers around the world spend less time on paperwork and more time with students. We believe that this can be achieved using the right technology in the right way.
– Tom Rogerson, headmaster—Cottesmore School
Rogerson says ABI is an excellent resource. “ABI calls upon a gigantic data set to support our already hugely experienced staff body. It would be arrogant to insist that one knows everything that there is to know about strategic leadership, and this project certainly requires a growth mindset — an admission that we don’t know everything and the humility to seek help from every available source,” he tells KUST Review. And it helps that ABI is available 24/7.
The school hosts numerous events about the benefits of generative AI in education. This includes a three-day AI festival; an AI thought-leadership conference; and an AI and special education needs conference.
The school works with AI developer Interactive Tutor to maintain momentum, and Rogerson is a member of the group AI in Education, which works to develop frameworks for AI in the classroom.
While some fear this surge in technology growth will create a bigger socio-economic divide, Rogerson is more optimistic. “Our true passion is to help teachers around the world spend less time on paperwork and more time with students. We believe that this can be achieved using the right technology in the right way. We are planning to continue this work until we see a wider impact. Millions of peoples’ lives could be made more pleasant and joyful through this technology, and it is up to schools like Cottesmore to show the world how it can make a significant impact for the better,” he says.
Global access education
Today it’s large language models like ChatGPT or Abigail Bailey and personalized education for learners — tomorrow it’s education for all.
Some schools are exploring options available for AI teaching aids. And those designed by Khan Academy — a non-profit education company — are popular worldwide for many reasons.
To begin with, Khan Academy is a free service. It offers digital programs in math, science, history, economics and more, all the way up to college level.
To accomplish this, Khan Academy embraced Khanmigo. Khanmigo is a tutoring bot piloted in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Teachers answer an average of 300 to 400 questions daily. But now students can ask Khanmigo. This frees teachers to give meaningful one-on-one assistance to students and perhaps take the odd bathroom break or eat a sandwich.
Concerns over using chatbots in classrooms are ample — mainly that students will employ them to do their schoolwork, but Khanmigo is designed to work like a teacher.
GRAPHICS: Abjad Design
It prompts students to think of answers themselves rather than simply handing answers over. It also records all conversations, and teachers and parents have access to them. So, this one-on-one AI tutor assures educators and parents that students are doing their own work. The bot is also an admin tool, assisting teachers with things like lesson planning, communication and creating assessments. It also has a built-in monitoring system that alerts teachers should a student exhibit interest in issues like self-harm.
In a 2023 interview with Time Magazine, Khan Academy founder Sal Khan says, “It’ll enable every student in the United States, and eventually on the planet, to effectively have a world-class personal tutor.”
The organization laid out international criteria to ensure safe and fair adoption of AI in education globally, calling on governments to swiftly create regulation protocols.
Mitigating harm ⤹“Generative AI can be a tremendous opportunity for human development, but it can also cause harm and prejudice. It cannot be integrated into education without public engagement and the necessary safeguards and regulations from governments,” says UNESCO’s Director General Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO’s first digital learning week conference in 2023. Topics at the Paris event included data safety; impact of generative AI on literacy and foreign language acquisition; and soft skills. And as with most events held by UNESCO, there was a large focus on inclusion.
UNESCO’s primary focus is to ensure equal access to education for all. This includes those from impoverished areas, refugees, disabled learners and girls and women around the world. The event addressed a 2022 joint initiative with UNICEF to ensure global access to digital education and showcased some of the platforms that have evolved as a result of a few countries getting involved.
IMAGE: Freepik GRAPHICS: Abjad Design
Concerns were raised about reduced educational achievements, but the general theme for implementing and using AI is balance — use it in conjunction with experts and use it for the good it can bring — not at the detriment of learning. This is a concern of UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini.
“We must steer technology in education wisely and on our own terms, guided by the principles of inclusion, equity, quality and accessibility,” she says.
Steering the technology wisely now could have big payoffs in the near future.
According to market research company Global Market Insights, the AI education market is expected to reach U.S.$30 billion by 2032, up from U.S.$4 billion in 2022.
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CAPTION: The logo of UNESCO on the main building in Paris, France. IMAGE: Shutterstock
