An AI researcher argued that despite the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), it will never be able to replace the inherent human qualities and knowledge that people have built over decades. This comment was made during a university roundtable on Jan. 30 as part of an inquiry into the use of generative AI in the Australian education system.
While some educators have supported the use of AI in the classroom to enhance students’ learning and streamline administrative processes, there are concerns about AI’s biases and its potential threat to jobs. AI research fellow Immaculate Motsi-Omoijiade emphasized the need for AI to be developed based on an ethical model. She warned that if AI is not built correctly, it can magnify existing societal issues.
Motsi-Omoijiade highlighted the limitations of AI and stressed that it cannot replace human presence in crucial areas such as providing comfort to someone at the end of life, helping them write their will, or offering pastoral support to teachers. She pointed out that the fear of AI making people irrelevant, especially in the wake of AI advancement, is troubling and emphasized the importance of valuing human contributions and knowledge.
In addition, during the roundtable, Danny Liu, a academic development and leadership expert at the University of Sydney’s business school, raised concerns about the impact of AI on teachers. He noted that teachers and students are experiencing fatigue due to the rapid changes and challenges brought about by COVID-19 teaching.
Carlo Iacono, an AI Strategy Development Adviser at Charles Sturt University, also expressed concerns about AI further entrenching the digital divide, as some students have access to advanced AI tools while others struggle to even have reliable internet access.