AI Tech in Higher Institutions of Learning and Education: A Friend and/or a Foe?

Technology should be socially relevant and be used to address everyday challenges. Institutions of higher learning should leverage technological benefits and adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle the many issues they face. AI, as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), should be of interest to everyone to enable its relevance and impact in transforming our work and lives, according to Dr. Jabu Mtsweni, Head of the Information and Cyber Security Center at the CSIR. 

Dr. Mtsweni highlighted that since 2020, the globe has witnessed a sharp increase in digital transformation, reshaping all we knew, especially the place of work. We will either have to adapt and embrace AI, or fall behind and struggle to catch up. These insights were shared during the Department of Library Services’ event titled “AI Tech in Higher Institutions of Learning and Education: A Friend and/or a Foe?”

He noted the gap in adaptation between students and their institutions. While higher education leaders perceive AI as an opportunity, the reality often involves banning its use due to fear, rather than leveraging it to enhance learning experiences and democratize education. Despite these restrictions, students are ahead of lecturers in AI usage. They use AI for interactive learning, clarifying concepts, improving their writing style, and refining academic English. Although institutions have viewed AI as a foe, a shift is occurring, where formal university programs such as Computer Science, Information Technology, and Engineering are beginning to embrace AI as a friend.

His talk explored both the benefits and challenges of AI in higher education. He stressed that AI can improve the quality of learning and address issues of educational inequality, affordability, and access. Virtual learning powered by AI could help close educational gaps, making education more inclusive, equitable, and accessible. However, challenges such as the digital divide and insufficient digital literacy remain barriers.

Dr. Mtsweni urged stakeholders to harness AI for administrative tasks, equitable enrolment processes, and the customization of education to meet individual needs. In his concluding remarks, he advocated for a national framework on AI in education. This framework should include:

• Ethics, Privacy, and Transparency: Ensuring AI adoption aligns with ethical standards.
• National AI Competencies: Developing skills for teachers and students.
• Centres of Excellence: Establishing hubs for research and building knowledge base on AI use cases in education.
• Localized AI Applications: Designing solutions for Africa-specific challenges, such as language diversity, teacher shortages, and access to quality education.
• Capacity Building: Training educators and students in AI technologies, coding, and data science.