AI is not the answer, it is how it is used to support learning which is the key

 Some learning from chalkbeat, reporting on why the Khanmigo chatbot has not yet met its promised goals. 

Three years ago, an AI chatbot was launched in Khanmigo. Uptake by students has been lukewarm. The Khanmigo chatbot was used by students to find answers, rather that as a 'study buddy'. The key seems to be, as always, to educate students, rather than for them to just try things out. 

A recent German study to evaluate the relationship between AI-chatbots, student assessment performance and learning outcomes in Higher Education,  The findings indicate that students may be able to complete tasks faster, but not better or lead to higher grades.

Again, it is important to plan carefully, the objectives of using AI to support students. Are the chatbot/agents used to support learning? If yes, what are the specific learning objectives? Is the chatbot/agent 'ring-fenced' sufficiently to actually support the attainment of the learning outcomes? In our current projects, we need to be very clear about how and why the chatbot/agent is being utilised. This helps delimit the range of the chatbot and to ensure that it stays on task and does not deviate from its assigned objectives. 

Bill Gates podcast (Unconfuse) with Sal Khan on the integration of AI into Khan Academy

 A half-hour episode (11th August 2023) of Unconfuse with Bill Gates who speaks to Sal Khan on the integration of AI into Khan Academy as Khanmigo.

Discussed origin of Khan Academy and summarised how Khan Academy is now used in schools to provide for learning. Teachers assist with initial working through, focus on sorting out pinch points and supporting the reflective learning process.

Also discussed the rapid improvement of Gen AI with its possibilities for supporting education and how Sal worked through to realise its application. Promoted the use of AI to further support individualised / personalised learning. 

Also presented the challenges, cost, inaccuracies etc. and the work undertaken in the development of Khanmigo. This has 'parameters' to make it safer for use in schools along with reflecting on how to best use it to encourage learner engagement and deeper learning. Khanmigo is able to work with individuals, and groups (to increase social constructivism). Allows for teacher directed learning activities along with the learning analytics to understand learner progress. Khanmigo is therefore a teacher assistant in a classroom, the teacher being a 'conductor' and learners working to their own learning journey. 

AI improves feedback more thoroughly to improve writing for learners. However, learners will need feedback literacy to leverage off AI capabilities. 

Good to listen to the human dimension from leading thinkers in IT and hear how both consider the merits, challenges and possibilities of AI and its contributions towards personalised education for all.