The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is poised to shift the traditional teacher-student dynamic, with students potentially becoming more knowledgeable than their educators, according to Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Prof. Biman Prasad.
Speaking at the 130th Fiji Principals’ Association Conference in Labasa, Prof. Prasad underscored the transformative impact of AI on education, urging principals to adapt to the digital era.
“We are entering a period where, for the first time in history, students will have access to more information, better information, and may become more knowledgeable than their teachers,” Prof. Prasad said.
He further noted that many principals have already observed students digitally fact-checking their teachers, highlighting the generation’s natural adaptation to AI tools.
Prof. Prasad, drawing on his background as a university professor, stressed that many jobs for which students are currently being trained may cease to exist in the coming decades, potentially replaced by AI technologies.
“Large language models and similar AI innovations are going to profoundly change the world, and by the time today’s students graduate, some of the jobs we are training them for could be obsolete,” he warned.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s comments raise concerns about the future relevance of current educational structures.
“It is indeed possible that some subjects we teach today will become redundant in the way they are framed,” Prof. Prasad added.
Prof. Prasad, while acknowledging the challenges ahead, urged educational leaders to stay at the forefront of these developments. “We need our principals and teachers at the cutting edge to shape the education system for this new AI-driven world,” he concluded.
However, not all education experts agree that AI will outpace traditional educational methods in such a dramatic fashion. Some AI researcher believe that while AI will revolutionise access to information, it will not replace the critical thinking and mentorship that teachers provide.
Experts agree that Professor Prasad is right in pointing out that AI will likely transform the way information is delivered, but the value of personalised learning and the social aspects of education should not be overlooked.
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