How AI Is Turning Students into Knowledge Builders

In the modern-day changing scenario of education, technology is playing a revolutionary part in the way student learns and interact with learning. To understand more about this transformation, Careers360 discussed with Dr. V. Arun, Ph.D., Senior Member of IEEE and Professor in the School of Engineering, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati. He expressed his professional opinions on how AI is transforming education and enabling students to become builders of knowledge, and how teachers are adopting more interactive and innovative methods of teaching. Read his knowledgeable views and ideas on the future of AI in education and be a part of the transformation.

The traditional education system has long been built around a structured model that provides fixed study material, relying on teachers with the necessary expertise to deliver information year after year. This approach has been the norm for generations, guiding students from childhood to adulthood in a consistent, predefined manner. However, Artificial Intelligence is challenging this long-standing model, transforming it from the ground up. Today, students, teachers, and technology engage in dynamic, interactive dialogue, shifting the learning process from a one-sided delivery to a more collaborative, evolving exchange.

Where the traditional education system relied upon one-size-fits-all textbooks and tutoring, AI tools have introduced much-needed flexibility. Recognising that students learn, absorb, retain, and apply information in different ways, AI adapts to meet these individual needs. Students and learners can find and generate subject material that adapts to individual pace, style, and interest. From complex math concepts explained by a favourite chatbot to a platform offering real-time, judgment-free feedback on learning, AI has unlocked a more independent level of knowledge and understanding for students and teachers alike. This is just the tip of the iceberg. AI-assisted learning is beginning to shine light on a more profound horizon. Students using AI to ideate, test hypotheses, or generate new content are engaging in a combined process of discovery. When a student collaborates with an AI tool for writing research papers, researching sources, and iterating on concepts, the AI becomes a valuable, unbiased source of information. This opens up opportunities for deeper engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative learning, empowering students to take ownership of their educational journeys.

The advantages of AI translate to teachers as well. Tasks like lecture delivery or test grading, which had to be covered by teachers, are now being outsourced to AI. This frees up crucial bandwidth for teachers, who can now focus on higher-level teaching strategies, like guiding classroom discussions, encouraging several viewpoints and perspectives, assisting students in building the bridge to connect classroom and textbook learnings to real-world applications, scenarios, and issues. By offloading routine tasks, AI enables teachers to become more effective mentors, guiding students toward holistic, critical, and creative thinking. While this knowledge utopia seems promising, the use of AI requires caution, good intent, and responsibility. AI systems, like any technology, are loaded with biases that may affect decision-making. & outcomes. Additionally, not all students have equal access to AI tools, which could create disparities in learning opportunities. To ensure AI’s successful integration into education, stakeholders must establish new protocols that guarantee these technologies are used inclusively, ethically, and transparently. Developing such a framework is crucial to ensure that AI benefits both students and teachers equitably.

By encouraging critical thinking, generating complex analyses, and integrating historical knowledge with contemporary challenges, AI is preparing students for the future, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.