Experts have stressed the need for using artificial intelligence (AI) to bridge the accessibility of education. They said that the technology could address the problem of creating a better teaching environment.

“AI is more than just a technological solution,” Furqan Khan, a software engineer based in Canada, said in a webinar on the inaugural day of the hybrid ‘AI and Education Conference’ hosted by the non-profit organisation Off The School (OTS) on Saturday. “It is a tool that we can use to progress as humanity, just like we did with the fire, the wheel, the electricity, and the internet.”

The two-day conference would end on Sunday with an on-campus workshop on the use of AI-powered chatbots at the OTS.

He added that AI software was being used for generating 3D videos to assist in explaining complex ideas or processes, software for self-paced learning, and real-time speech-to-speech translation. He was of the view that it could “bridge language” barriers in education.

Khan further discussed the potential areas where AI could be used to improve the access to education in Pakistan. It could help in remote learning, translation, mock exam generation, exam evaluation, and fact-checking, he added. He also introduced over a hundred participants attending the webinar from several countries to various AI tools: Google Assistant, Wolfram Alpha, Otter, and ChatGPT.

Pakistani computer scientist Ahsun Tariq called for having systems to support “scaffolding attributes” as he highlighted the potential for AI in middle school to college-level education.

Tariq, who has a master’s degree in AI from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said that there was work needed to be done in the domain such as developing an Algorithm Visualisation (ALVIS) software that helps children visualise how algorithms work.

“These systems help people visualise and develop better mental models of algorithms, addressing the problem of creating a better teaching environment,” he said.

Oregon State University’s researcher Tariq spoke about the limitations of Pakistan’s “rigid and doctrinaire” education system. Still, he saw the potential for AI as a recommendation engine that could learn students’ strengths and recommend various themes from around the world.

He was of the view that current AI systems like chat GPT could help students seeking quick solutions but underscored the importance of “data acquisition, annotation, and debiasing” for the technology to be truly effective.

OTS founder Najam Soharwardi described the 22.8 million children out of school in Pakistan as a “tragedy”. The recent climate disasters had only compounded this crisis, he added.

Soharwardi, also a journalist, said that innovation was a “key” to overcoming the challenges facing education in Pakistan. Without it, he added the cycle of poverty and inequality would continue, leaving countless children without the opportunities they deserve.

“The use of AI-powered chatbots is just one example of the innovative solutions needed to address the issue of out-of-school children. By creating customised lesson plans and educational materials, we at OTS are giving these children a chance to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.”

Syed Kazim Jamal, a digital and technology transformation consultant at the Ernst and Young Global Limited, spoke about the importance of using AI to address educational inequities.

“Education is often touted as the great equaliser, the key to upward mobility and a better life. However, the reality is that not everyone has access to quality education, and many are left behind due to systemic inequalities. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind,” he said.

Waqas Ansari, an engineer at the American company Motive, emphasised the potential of AI in solving complex problems and improving efficiency in various industries. He highlighted the importance of deep learning and reinforcement learning in technology.

However, he also acknowledged the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI, such as its impact on jobs and privacy. For this, he stressed the need to continue education and research in the field.

Entrepreneur Mubashir Sakhi and OTS Edtech head Omama Ansari also addressed the webinar.