The Rise of AI Schools

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For centuries, the chalkboard stood as an iconic symbol of education. I recall my teachers meticulously writing lessons on blackboards, while we tried to absorb what was being taught to the best of our ability. This traditional model was designed for a bygone era, emphasizing rote memorization and standardized testing. As society evolves, so must our educational systems.

Today’s students are digital natives, growing up in a world saturated with technology. They navigate a digital labyrinth of information, social media, and AI-driven tools. To thrive, they need skills beyond memorization, including critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. AI literacy is no longer optional, it is essential.
Democratizing AI means making it accessible to all learners. Educators must embrace AI, recognizing its potential to enhance teaching and learning. Traditional libraries have also now transformed where they house more computers than books, offering internet access with AI technology.

Librarians play a crucial role in implementing AI tools, where the library is no longer just a repository of knowledge; it is a gateway to digital resources where students come to learn and grow. The dusty reference book on a library shelf plays little significance in a modern student’s education who can cross-reference many books in seconds using AI technology.

A modern example of how students are using AI, at the dismay of many educators, is how ChatGPT experiences high demand during the school year. Students turn to it for supplemental learning and to bolster their in class education, quite often knowing more about modern developments in the subject that their teachers. Educators must adapt, recognizing that students use AI systems to enhance their education, and rather than penalizing them, focus on reskilling themselves to harness AI effectively. 

Teachers play an important part in the students’ educational journey and must skill-up in order to remain of value in the educational process. AI should be thought of as an additional tool in the teachers’ arsenal, just as the computer brought new opportunities to innovate in learning when they were introduced.
We must now build schools that have AI at their core. From kindergarten to PhD programs, AI must be integrated into the fabric of education. Imagine an AI-powered Aristotle, guiding students through complex subjects like physics or literature. AI can personalize learning experiences, provide instant feedback, and assist teachers in managing diverse classrooms.

Throughout my professional life, I have advocated for the greater use of ICT’s in education. Being the Chair of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education, the Chair of the Afro-Asian Knowledge Society Council, as well as a Member of the International Consultative Board in the World Coalition, I have championed the democratization of education to build a strong, international body of competent students that are AI experts.

The message of education is a great one. It is the foundation of civilization and the basis of progress of any society. Any reform of any kind must begin with educational reform. Education builds humans, equips people with science, knowledge, wisdom, morals, integrity, and responsibility and allows them to take part in building a healthy, sound community. It is from such communities that competent administrations and wise citizens emerge.

AI-native schools are not a distant dream and are already in the process of being established. They are our present and future and we must embrace this paradigm shift, ensuring that every learner, whether in a physical classroom or a virtual one, has the tools to thrive in the digital era. The age of rote learning is well over with the age of AI education well upon us.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh