Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education in India – A Sociologicl Analysis

Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education in India – A Sociologicl Analysis

Dr. Manjula. S.V

Associate Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Government First Grade College  Varthur, Bangalore-560087. Karnataka

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.8110111

Received: 30 October 2024; Accepted: 04 November 2024; Published: 07 December 2024

ABSTRACT

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to revolutionize a number of industries, including education. This essay examines the possible effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, stressing both the advantages and disadvantages. Intelligent tutoring systems, administrative automation, AI-driven personalized learning, and the ethical issues surrounding AI in education are all covered in the examination. The study attempts to give a thorough grasp of how AI might change educational environments, enhance learning outcomes, and solve present issues by looking at current implementations and potential future developments. By offering a comprehensive evaluation and a list of potential directions for further research, this review paper aims to increase the corpus of information regarding the effects of technological innovation on the education sector. While acknowledging AI as a disruptive force for good, we also draw attention to its drawbacks, possible privacy and security risks, and the consequences of bias, abuse, and the spread of false information. The paper concludes by outlining the research gaps and posing queries meant to further our understanding of AI education. This article offers a thorough analysis of AI’s place in Indian higher education, stressing both its potential advantages and its significant drawbacks. Navigating this transforming path will require more study and real-world applications.

Keywords: AI in education, Transformation of higher education, Making decisions, Information exchange, AI opportunities, Sociological analysis

INTRODUCTION

The growth of new technologies and the processing power of the new intelligent machines are inextricably related to the future of higher education. In this area, developments in artificial intelligence present both new opportunities and difficulties for higher education teaching and learning, and they have the power to drastically alter internal design and governance in higher education institutions. There is little consensus on a definitive definition of artificial intelligence because responses to the subject have been influenced by philosophical stances since Aristotle. The growth of new technologies and the processing power of the new intelligent machines are inextricably related to the future of higher education. In this area, developments in artificial intelligence present both new opportunities and difficulties for higher education teaching and learning, and they have the power to drastically alter internal design and governance in higher education institutions. There is little consensus on a definitive definition of artificial intelligence because responses to the subject have been influenced by philosophical stances since Aristotle. Without a question, education is very important to those who live in developing nations. Institutions of higher learning are crucial to the growth of a country. Knowledge and learning are two key components that determine an individual’s economic and social development. Highly educated people are more likely to obtain well-paying, skilled professions, increasing their chances of improving their level of living. Higher education therefore has deeper significance for people in developing nations since it empowers individuals to live the lives they choose, leading to more creative and productive lives. Higher growth and improvement for the nation as a whole are also correlated with high-quality education and talented pupils, especially in developing nations. Therefore, the importance of higher education increases in developing countries like India, and as a result, the learning process should be streamlined. Over the past few decades, a technological revolution has occurred in most parts of the world. The modern information society, which is driven by innovation and invention, is a significant departure from the conventional living conditions-driven society. The bulk of labour at higher education institutions was done by hand in the previous educational system, which was defined by the physical interaction between teachers and students in the classroom. However, significant technical advancements over the past 20 years, primarily due to the Internet, have altered people’s perspectives on schooling and their jobs. In recent years, a new idea known as “artificial intelligence” has emerged. In this study, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education in Indian universities is examined, along with the dimensions of AI applications, factors that influence the adoption of AI in higher education processes, and a framework for the adoption of AI applications by higher education sector stakeholders.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

In order to create intelligent machines that are capable of carrying out tasks that often call for human intelligence, artificial intelligence (AI) is a crucial area of computer science. Examples include email spam filters, conversational bots, robot advisers, self-driving automobiles, and Alexa. The goal of artificial intelligence (AI) is to create machines that can learn and solve problems by imitating human intelligence. It encompasses theoretical broad and super intelligent AI as well as specialized narrow AI. Machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and robots are important technologies that greatly increase productivity in a variety of industries. It may be difficult to define AI because of the interdisciplinary interest of researchers from linguistics, psychology, education, and neuroscience who relate AI to terms, concepts, and expertise in their fields. The category of artificial intelligence in education and its particular use in higher education settings are the main topics of this study.

How Does It Operate?

Classic rule-based systems, in which humans provide precise instructions for computers to follow predetermined rules, and modern machine learning, in which computers may learn from data without particular programming, are the two main methodologies used in artificial intelligence (AI). Algorithms let computers identify patterns and connections in datasets so they can make decisions and predictions in machine learning (Ferrara et al., 2019). Giving the AI model relevant data, assessing its performance, and implementing it for certain tasks are all part of this learning process. Whether through controlled, uncontrolled, or reinforcement learning techniques, AI systems evolve and adapt over time. From picture recognition to voice assistants, AI applications show how the technology can perform tasks that were previously only possible with human intelligence.

Objectives of The Study

1. To research how AI is affecting higher education.
2. Examine how AI affects the process of teaching and learning.
3. To forecast how AI may affect graduates’ future careers

Need For The Study

Higher education in India is not an exception to how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing other industries. This essay examines the complex effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on Indian higher education, emphasizing both the benefits and difficulties it brings. The use of AI-powered tools in educational settings, improving teaching and learning procedures, increasing administrative effectiveness, and the wider ramifications for teachers and students are all included in the examination. The study also addresses the difficulties, such as data protection, ethical dilemmas, and the digital divide, and offers suggestions for successfully incorporating AI in higher education.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Academic databases like Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Emerald, along with grey literature, government publications, books, etc. are the most often used secondary sources.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

1. “The hypothesis that every facet of learning or any other aspect of intelligence can be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it is the basis for the study [of artificial intelligence]” (Russell and Norvig 2010, pg 15).
2. Machine intelligence, deep learning, and cognitive architectures have all seen a comeback in recent years, and many analysts believe that AI will have a bright future in many spheres of society (Kaku, 2012; Kelly, 2017).
3. One of the technologies that is expanding the fastest in the globe is artificial intelligence (AI). It has the power to completely alter every aspect of our life, including how we work, sleep, learn, and take care of our health. The potential of AI in various spheres of public life has been the subject of numerous books and conversations. It is thought that AI can be used specifically in the field of education to write letters, translate languages quickly, generate ideas and prepare for assignments and tests, analyse and summarize texts, proofread written work, and provide trainees with individualized guidance (Class room tech, 2024).
4. According to Woolf et al. (2013), “Major challenges for artificial intelligence in education” include virtual coaches for every student, who provide unavoidable assistance in coordinating user displaying, social re-enactment, and information portrayal; assisting students with self-heading, self-evaluation, and collaboration; combining the vast amounts of data regarding individual learning, social settings, learning settings, and individual interests; increasing the interconnectedness and openness of classrooms worldwide; and extending learning beyond the study hall and into the student’s world.

THE FUNCTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION

Artificial intelligence is significant for both teachers and students in higher education, as several studies show, because its use promotes more adaptable and limitless learning options for students. Due to its enhanced speed and flexibility, artificial intelligence is helping institutions all over the world enrol more students. Though it has also shown to be somewhat costly to use in the classroom, it is actually quite cost-effective when weighed against the expenditures associated with human labour. However, compared to traditional classroom instruction and manual labour, the long-term cost-effectiveness of using artificial intelligence among college students is far higher. The artificial intelligence method has already been successfully adopted by developed nations worldwide. In contrast to wealthy nations, developing nations are still in the early stages of implementing artificial intelligence. Developing nations that wish to use artificial intelligence as a tool in higher education face a number of challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, poor information access, a lack of institutional support, a lack of critical resources, and a lack of technological expertise. Teachers can utilize AI to grade pupils automatically for a predetermined set of questions in the educational system. AI can also be used in personalized and adaptive learning to meet the needs of students. AI helps teachers determine how well their students grasp their lectures and gives them the ability to provide the right hints. For the students, it serves as a teacher and facilitates idea learning.

METHODS FOR INCLUDING AI IN HIGHER EDUCATION

1. Improving the Curriculum: Engaging with literacy programs and utilizing literacy resources to enhance learning at all times are both part of incorporating literacy into the curriculum. In addition to providing specialized courses in AI and machine learning, universities can also leverage AI-powered learning resources to enhance instruction in other topics.
2. Technologies for Adaptive Learning: Artificial intelligence is used by adaptive learning technology to modify course material to meet the needs of individual students. By analysing student performance and learning habits, this technology offers individualized learning possibilities that let each student learn in their own way and at their own speed.
3. AI-Powered Evaluation Instruments: Intelligent evaluation systems that expedite the process and offer prompt feedback can be developed using artificial intelligence. This technology can lessen the administrative load on teachers and assist in identifying areas in which pupils need to improve.
4. Automation in Administration: Numerous management responsibilities, including scheduling, resource allocation, and access, can be made simpler by artificial intelligence. By answering common questions, helping with registration, and scheduling, chatbots and virtual assistants can increase operational efficiency.
5. Data analytics and research: Academic research can benefit from AI-driven data analytics since it offers strong data, pattern recognition, and modelling tools. Additionally, AI can assist with data analysis, predictive analytics, and the management of big data collections.
6. Online Education: Artificial intelligence-created virtual learning environments, or VLEs, can offer engaging and productive instruction. To improve experiential learning, AI can power augmented reality apps, simulations, and virtual labs.

THE BENEFITS OF AI IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

There are significant advantages to using AI into higher education in India. AI enables customized learning experiences that cater to each student’s unique abilities and preferences in light of the diverse student body and fluctuating learning demands. This is especially important in a nation like India that has a vast educational system. Teachers can better manage large class sizes with automated grading systems, freeing up time for more interactive teaching methods. Language barriers are eliminated by AI’s language translation capabilities, enabling students from many locations to access educational materials. Particularly in domains where actual labs are limited, virtual labs and simulations provide experiential learning chances. AI-powered administration also streamlines processes, improving the general effectiveness of institutions of higher learning. Together, these advantages increase the accessibility, flexibility, and technical sophistication of India’s educational system (Ladda & Saraf, 2019).

AI’S CHALLENGES IN INDIA

Although AI has enormous potential for higher education in India, there are several drawbacks that should be carefully considered.

1. Infrastructure Limitations: The widespread use and integration of AI technology may be hindered by the fact that many Indian educational institutions lack the necessary infrastructure and resources. The majority of public colleges are experiencing a lack of facilities, including buildings, air conditioning, computer labs, internet connections, etc.
2. Cost of Implementation: For educational institutions, especially those with limited resources, the upfront costs of implementing AI systems which include software, hardware, and training can be a significant barrier. In many institutions, maintenance of the aforementioned components is neglected after establishment and is also expensive.
3. Skill Gap: Trained people who comprehend AI technology and the particular requirements of the education sector are hard to come by. For AI integration to be successful, training educators and support staff is essential. India’s development of AI is still in its infancy. Colleges are lacking in computer teachers, and AI trainers are still a way off.
4. Data Security and Privacy Issues: For training and optimization, AI systems frequently need access to vast volumes of data. Ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive student data is a crucial issue that needs to be resolved in order to adhere to rules and foster confidence.
5. Bias and Fairness: Biases in the training data may be inherited by AI algorithms. Biased algorithms may reinforce current disparities in the educational setting. When developing and implementing AI systems, efforts must be made to guarantee equity and fairness.
6. Acceptance and Resistance: The effective implementation of AI technologies may be hampered by instructors’, administrators’, and students’ resistance to change. Concerns over the dependability of AI systems and scepticism or fear of job displacement may exist.
7. Customization Challenges: One of the biggest challenges is adapting AI solutions to India’s unique educational environment, which encompasses a range of languages, cultures, and regional variations. For implementation to be successful, customization is essential.
8. Ethical Considerations: To guarantee the ethical use of technology, ethical conundrums including the proper application of AI in education, responsible data practices, and preserving openness in decision-making processes require careful consideration.
9. Regulatory Framework: Uncertainties about matters like data ownership, responsibility, and standards for AI applications in learning environments may arise from the lack of a thorough regulatory framework for AI in education. Data collected from people’s laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices is used by AI. What we look for, many software programs and applications record, discuss, and capture everything. On multiple times, all of the gathered data is disclosed.
10. Digital Divide: Some pupils may have greater access to AI-supported education than others due to the unequal distribution of digital resources and internet connectivity among India’s various regions. Many elementary school pupils in India are not familiar with computers. Even people who know how to use computers can’t learn machine learning.
11. Lack of originality: AI creates material by utilizing databases. Therefore, content produced by AI is not unique; rather, it only seems different. Academics frequently use paraphrasing in assignments, research papers, and dissertations. These unethical practices limit people’s capacity for original thought (Bostrom & Yudkowsky, 2018).

It takes a team effort from academic institutions, legislators, business leaders, and technology developers to address these issues. Successfully integrating AI into higher education in India requires putting ethical considerations first, putting effective adoption techniques into practice, and offering the required resources and training.

CONCLUSIONS

There is still plenty to learn about machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence, which is still in its infancy in India. It has changed the entire educational system from a teacher-cantered, traditional classroom to a flexible, anytime, anywhere learner-centric paradigm. It can significantly help achieve teaching and learning excellence, give students freedom in their academic work, and help them successfully complete the course of their choice. While AI cannot take the role of a teacher, it can help improve teaching skills, empower staff, and make pedagogy more adaptable, individualized, and interactive, which will benefit students and provide them with the chance to reflect on their own learning. AI implementation requires a great deal of infrastructure, time, and resources in addition to human expertise and leadership. In conclusion there are both possibilities and problems associated with the revolutionary changes brought about by the incorporation of AI in Indian higher education. AI improves individualized instruction, expedites administrative work, and creates opportunities for creative teaching strategies. However, for broad acceptance, issues including costs, the requirement for talent development, and infrastructure constraints must be resolved. It is crucial to address bias, ensure ethical use, and protect student data. In order to leverage the advantages of AI while meeting the particular requirements of the varied educational landscape, India’s transition to a technologically advanced educational system will require teamwork, investments, and a careful approach. A future-ready and inclusive higher education system in the nation will be shaped in large part by striking a balance between ethical considerations and technological breakthroughs.

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