Innovation, Technology, Education and Communication

Amplified by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the digital revolution is no longer limited to the transformation of tools and intervention contexts. It now seems to be affecting, transforming and even controlling human intervention and presence itself. Education, a human activity par excellence and fertile ground for major changes, is being profoundly affected by the presence of AI in the various human sectors, with disruptive potential for teaching and learning practices.

According to a study by McKinsey & Company (2020), AI could contribute to global GDP growth of 0.8% to 1.2% per year by 2030. In education, for example, AI could contribute to significant advances in optimising teaching and learning processes, personalising learning paths according to individual needs and boosting learner engagement.

But to reap the benefits, it is crucial to develop technological infrastructures and an appropriate ecosystem, and to put in place a training system for teachers and educational players (UNESCO, 2021) to support them in the relevant and ethical use of AI.

There are many opportunities for AI to optimise teaching and learning processes and adapt them to take account of the challenges of digital transformation. AI systems make it possible to tailor teaching to learners' individual needs and expectations. In this way, they can provide immediate feedback and support learners' engagement in their learning. In addition, AI tools can help to identify and categorise gaps in learners' knowledge and propose appropriate intervention and remedial strategies and methods.

But the appropriation of AI in education raises major challenges. First of all, there are the ethical issues surrounding privacy and personal data (Berendt et al., 2020). It should be noted that AI tools are not always easy to access for all learners and teachers, which amplifies the inequalities that exist between individuals and between institutions. Finally, the appropriation of AI presupposes the mastery of high-level technical skills, which are often lacking among many learners and teachers (Goksel & Bozkurt, 2019). To meet these challenges, it is essential to train teachers in the challenges of AI and to develop partnerships between educational institutions and players in the technology sector (Chen et al., 2020).

This special issue of the journal I-TEC aims to deepen reflection on the impact of AI in education by exploring the issues, technological challenges and opportunities in education. Participants are invited to explore critically and constructively the role of AI in transforming education for future generations.