Today’s education system is driven by rules and standardization, too often ignoring the specific needs of individual learners, particularly those already facing disadvantages. AI can change that. 

AI can be the catalyst we need to finally bridge the digital divide and uplift all students. AI can redefine education, creating personalized, dynamic learning pathways that are attuned to each learner’s needs. With AI, each student can proceed at their own pace, with AI adjusting to a real-time flow of learning data. 

If AI can help more students earlier in their educational journeys, we can be on the cusp of a data-driven renaissance transforming every facet of the educational ecosystem. I believe this is a rare, seminal moment to create an education system that works for every student, using technology to serve students as individuals instead of serving the system.

It might sound too good to be true, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen like that. At one time, all revolutionary inventions were considered too good to be true: the printing press, electricity, the internet. The list goes on, but the pattern is always the same. When new technology emerges, we have the choice to harness it as a catalyst for transformative change or to apply it conservatively for marginal gains. 

Empower every facet of the educational ecosystem

Here’s how AI can impact the various stakeholders and inputs into education, to provide those transformative changes.

• For learning materials: AI curates and sequences curriculum, offering content that builds on what each student already knows. It provides contextual, dynamic feedback, aiding in the mastery of key concepts.

• For students: AI personalizes education, actively engaging students with immediate feedback that reframes setbacks as opportunities for learning, cultivating resilience and a growth mindset.

• For teachers: AI offers real-time insights into student understanding, suggesting tailored instructional strategies. This helps teachers meet diverse academic and developmental needs more effectively.

• For parents/caregivers: AI offers insights into their student’s progress and suggests targeted activities to enhance learning at home. It customizes communication to match family languages and cultural contexts, deepening parental engagement.

These impacts were drawn from recent research I was involved with, which builds on Benjamin Bloom’s theories. Bloom is an educational theorist who identified factors that foster the most effective learning outcomes. This research-informed approach, which we have adopted at Age of Learning, leverages AI as an integrative system that harnesses data from every educational facet to improve learning outcomes.

By coordinating every aspect of the learning process, AI bolsters each educational component, nurturing an ongoing cycle of growth and learning. Embracing this holistic approach, we ensure students gain not just the knowledge they need today, but the confidence to embrace and overcome the challenges of tomorrow. It customizes the learning experience to accelerate individual student success, directly addressing their unique needs.

Balance risk with reward

There are potential risks with AI, but educational leaders are proactively addressing these challenges by developing strategies ensuring that AI’s integration enhances learning while safeguarding against its drawbacks. The U.S. Department of Education’s Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning emphasizes the significance of “human-in-the-loop” systems, establishing guardrails to ensure that educational technologies are guided by human insight and ethical considerations. Moreover, to truly determine progress, applying AI in educational settings must focus on improving student outcomes and be supported by tangible evidence of its benefits.

The nation’s two largest school districts are actively leading the way with thoughtful AI implementation strategies. In a move bridging federal guidelines with local action, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) launched the AI Policy Lab in partnership with InnovateEDU and school districts across the country as part of a larger AI literacy initiative. This effort exemplifies a public-private collaboration that brings together diverse resources and expertise. The AI Policy Lab emphasizes critical aspects such as equity, safety, ethics, effectiveness, and transparency. Moreover, it underscores NYCPS’s commitment to equipping a diverse student body with the AI literacy skills necessary for the future.

And on the other side of the country, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is at the forefront of integrating AI in education with the launch of the Individualized Acceleration Plan. The IAP is designed as an adaptive, supportive learning companion, empowering students to navigate confidently through the rapid changes of the future. He underscores the transformative potential in an Education Week article, saying, “Imagine the power of artificial intelligence and comprehensive data working together to personalize an action plan for the benefit of our teachers, our students, our parents.”

Carvalho’s vision extends beyond traditional academic benchmarks to create a learning environment that equips students with essential skills for the digital age. As a launch partner, Age of Learning is proud to contribute to this trailblazing initiative, marking a significant step towards reshaping education for the digital age.

A commitment to lifelong learning

AI’s integration in education should go beyond simply imparting basic skills; it must inspire a commitment to lifelong learning and serve as a crucial tool for success in an ever-changing workforce. The strategies put forward by our policymakers and educators are designed to establish an inclusive, forward-thinking educational system. As we stand at the brink of an educational renaissance, we—educators, policymakers, parents, and innovators—must collaborate to cultivate learning environments with unprecedented scope and impact. By embracing and strategically managing risk, and learning from setbacks, we will pave the way for all students to achieve success that, until now, was unimaginable. 

If we can embed AI into our educational system as seamlessly as electricity was integrated into our daily lives, we have an opportunity to effect real change for the students, in areas where change is often promised but seldom delivered.

Sunil Gunderia is chief innovation officer at Age of Learning.