In this first session for 2026 from ATAIN we have a presentation from Dr Mark Nichols who presents on 'AI and the future of online delivery: some whakaaro (thoughts).
An updated version (and updated regularly) of a presentation to the Open Polytechnic as the field is moving rapidly.
Began with AI as being helpful and then shared examples including in education, closing with some thoughts on the future.
Billions are being invested in AI and this accounts with some of the speed of development and the ways AI is shifting in its focus and capabilities. Anthropic for example, is worth much more that NZ's yearly output!
Demonstrated how quickly AI can provide resources, but paints a positive picture of how AI can be useful in education. Humans still need to have input, otherwise, it only provides a shallow view point.
Used Meta AI glasses and Hugging Face with Reachy Mini - built it yourself AI desktop robot.
Warned if AI as 'slop' but the relentless pace of development continues! Rise of agentic AI perhaps not so far away. Shared examples of AI generated videos and bands - Velvet Sundown; Doppl to allow you to try out outfits; jobs being taken over by AI, especially entry level jobs; AI will cheat and hide its tracks if it is in its own interest ! - See Popular Mechanics blog - AI has learned to cheat and punishing it makes it smarter! and Times on when AI thinks it will lose, it can cheat; able to outsmart CAPTCHA tests; fake videos; deep fakes :( flaws in AI therapy chatbots;
Ethics is trailing the ways AI is being used for nefarious activities (sigh). Positive outcomes include accelerating drugs and vaccines; research - lit reviews, analysis, etc. but care needs to be used - case of company having its data erased when testing an AI agent.
What does it mean to be artistic, creative, have expertise?? What happens in education when we have personal coaches / teachers / mentors? What is the future of book writing??
AI is non-anthorpomorphic - has no conscience/shame, here to stay and reminds disruptive. Important to keep the human in the loop (HitL) How can AI fit into education - not to increase cognitive debt but to augment our human capabilities.
Shared two sides of the coin - AI useful in education but important it does not replace the learning required to attain knowledge and skills. Be critical - see article by Sparrow and Flenady (2025).
How students use AI? AI users now increasing in personal use, instead for organisations. Primarily used for searching (rather than browsers). See this on use of ChatGPT. AI destroying universities. Student use of AI - Microsoft report. Educators use of Anthropic.
Concerns - cognitive self harm - metacognitve laziness; cognitive debt; reducing cognitive friction; -inequitable access; passing off - not only needing to think. Young people are no longer reading and AI exacerbates this.
AI can bring these roles - Socratic dialogue partner, personal coach, drill sergeant, study buddy. Reminder of the science of learning and apply AI to support these to occur.
Short Q & A followed. Good summary of the challenges and possible direction.
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