Impact Analysis

How does Artificial Intelligence impact Higher Education?

Summary:
1. Introduction
2. A look into Artificial Intelligence over the years
3. How can Artificial Intelligence impact Higher Education?
4. AI in higher education: Current status, looking into the future
5. Conclusion

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it
today." - Malcolm X

1. Introduction
The pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of society have been fundamental
aspects of human civilization since ancient times. From the early libraries of Dynastic Egypt
to the birth of universities in Europe, higher education has played a pivotal role in shaping
individuals, fostering intellectual growth, and driving societal progress.

The right to access higher education is recognized as a fundamental human right in

various international instruments. The United Nations International Covenant on Economic,
Social, and Cultural Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights emphasize the
importance of equal access to education, promoting the notion that everyone should have
the opportunity to pursue higher education based on their abilities and without discrimination.

21st Century Challenges

In the 21st century, the landscape of higher education has faced its share of
challenges and criticisms. One notable concern has been the phenomenon of grade
inflation, where universities have been accused of inflating grades or lowering academic
standards. This issue has raised questions about the credibility and value of degrees
awarded.
 Moreover, the supply of graduates in certain fields has surpassed the demand for
their skills, leading to issues such as graduate unemployment, underemployment,
overqualification, credentialism, and educational inflation. The evolving job market and
changing skill requirements have prompted a reevaluation of traditional higher education
models and the need for universities to adapt to meet the demands of the workforce.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for adaptation and transformation
in higher education. The rapid shift to remote learning and the limitations imposed on
traditional classroom settings have highlighted the importance of digital technologies and
innovative teaching methods. The pandemic has challenged the traditional higher education
system, making certain aspects obsolete and emphasizing the need for flexibility, resilience,
and the integration of technology.

Statistics on Education

Statistics shed light on the changing landscape of education. A 2014 report by the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that in
high-income countries, 84 percent of young people were completing upper secondary
education. Tertiary-educated individuals were earning double the income of median workers,
showcasing the value of higher education in terms of employment and economic prospects.

Interestingly, the report also highlighted a shift in gender dynamics, with young
women more likely to complete upper secondary education than young men. This reflects
the progress made in promoting gender equality in education. Additionally, the report
indicated a significant expansion in access to higher education, with a substantial increase in
the number of people pursuing university education.

University of London over the years

In 1889, government funding was provided to several university colleges in the UK,
including those in London, such as UCL and King's College. These grants aimed to support
higher education institutions and promote their development.

Over time, the University of London, a federal university, underwent significant

changes. In 1898, an Act of Parliament reformed the university, allowing larger colleges to
have direct access to government funding and the authority to confer University of London
degrees. This step paved the way for greater autonomy and recognition of these colleges as
de facto universities.
 In subsequent years, other universities and colleges, including those in Wales,
gained degree awarding powers, further diversifying the higher education landscape in the
UK.

Mergers and Peculiarities

The UK higher education sector has witnessed several mergers between institutions.
Notable examples include the merger between King's College and Marischal College in
Aberdeen, forming the University of Aberdeen, and the merger between Royal Holloway
College and Bedford College in London, facilitated by an Act of Parliament.

The University of London and the University of Wales have historically operated as
federal universities, with a central governing body overseeing standards across constituent
colleges. However, pressures for autonomy and independence have led to significant
changes. Institutions like Imperial College London and Cardiff University have left their
respective federal universities, prompting a reconsideration of their structures.

Conclusion

Higher education remains a vital pillar of societal development, empowering

individuals with knowledge, skills, and opportunities. However, the ever-changing landscape,
including challenges like grade inflation, shifting job market demands, and the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, necessitates continuous adaptation and innovation within the higher
education sector.

To meet the evolving needs of students and society, universities must foster a culture
of lifelong learning, embrace digital technologies, promote equal access to education, and
align their programs with the skills and competencies demanded by the job market. By
staying responsive to these changes, higher education institutions can continue to fulfill their
crucial role in shaping the future of individuals and communities worldwide.

The higher education landscape in the UK, particularly in London, has undergone
significant transformations over the years. The provision of government funding, mergers
between institutions, and the pursuit of greater autonomy have shaped the university
system. As universities navigate the challenges of the 21st century, including the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial for them to remain adaptive, innovative, and responsive
to the evolving needs of students and society. By doing so, universities can continue to play
a vital role in shaping the future and providing valuable knowledge, skills, and opportunities
to individuals and communities.
 2. A look into Artificial Intelligence
over the years
Artificial beings with intelligence have been a part of storytelling since ancient times
and have remained a common theme in fiction, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. These
fictional characters and their narratives have raised ethical questions similar to those
discussed in the field of artificial intelligence ethics.

The exploration of mathematical logic eventually led to Alan Turing's theory of

computation, which proposed that a machine could simulate any conceivable act of
mathematical deduction by manipulating simple symbols like "0" and "1".

During the 1960s, research in AI received significant funding from the Department of
Defense in the United States, leading to the establishment of AI laboratories worldwide.
Researchers in this era were optimistic that symbolic approaches would eventually achieve
artificial general intelligence, which was the ultimate goal of the field. Some predicted that
machines would be capable of performing any task that a human can do within a couple of
decades.

The early 1980s witnessed a resurgence of AI research driven by the commercial

success of expert systems, which simulated the knowledge and analytical abilities of human
experts. The market for AI reached a billion dollars by 1985. However, a decline occurred in
the late 1980s, known as the "AI winter," partly caused by the collapse of the Lisp Machine
market.

AI gradually regained its reputation in the late 1990s and early 21st century by
focusing on specific problems and developing targeted solutions. By 2000, AI solutions were
widely used, although they were not always explicitly referred to as "artificial intelligence"
during the 1990s.

Advancements in machine learning and perception were facilitated by faster

computers, algorithmic improvements, and access to large datasets. Deep learning methods
that relied on extensive data became dominant in achieving high accuracy benchmarks
around 2012. The use of AI within Google skyrocketed, with over 2,700 projects
incorporating AI by 2015. This growth was attributed to the affordability of neural networks,
advancements in cloud computing infrastructure, and the availability of research tools and
datasets.

In a 2017 survey, approximately one in five companies reported incorporating AI into

their offerings or processes. The volume of AI research, as measured by the number of
publications, increased by 50% between 2015 and 2019.

In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced significantly, with conversational AI

systems like ChatGPT reshaping people's perspectives. ChatGPT's ability to generate
human-like text and engage in meaningful conversations has expanded the understanding of
AI's capabilities. It has made AI feel more relatable, leading to changes in human-computer
interaction. Businesses have utilized AI chatbots for enhanced customer service, while
ethical considerations surrounding AI have gained prominence. While ChatGPT has
influenced perceptions, it is crucial to recognize its limitations and approach AI responsibly.

3. How can Artificial Intelligence impact

Higher Education?

AI is quietly disrupting higher education's administrative, teaching, learning, and

research activities. Here are a few examples:

Administrative Support: AI tools are used to analyze data on recruitment, admission,

and retention, aiding decision-making processes and assessing productivity and
performance.

Teaching Support: AI tools provide adaptive and automated assessments,

personalized tutoring and feedback, and content recommendations. They can
generate content, write code, address accessibility issues, optimize writing
processes, and detect plagiarism.

Learning Support: AI tools offer self-service chatbots, identify at-risk students,

recommend courses, increase motivation, and predict student performance.

Research Support: AI tools sift through large data sets to identify patterns, build
models, recommend relevant articles, and prepare manuscripts for publication.

These transformative processes have the potential to redefine and reduce positions
in areas such as admissions, administrative support, instructional design, teaching, and
information technology support. The advancement of AI-generated multimodal content,
exemplified by ChatGPT-4, continues to improve the efficiency and productivity of these
areas.

While ChatGPT and similar AI models have the ability to generate academic writing,
it is important to note that they are still prone to inaccuracies and fabrications. However,
educators are already utilizing ChatGPT to draft course syllabi, lecture content, assignments,
and grading rubrics. Concerns arise about the potential disruption of academic scholarship,
although AI is still far from replicating the complex metacognitive activities involved in
scholarly writing.
 4. AI in higher education: Current status, looking
into the future
AI is poised to become a standard presence in every aspect of higher education,
according to a survey conducted by Microsoft Research (MSR) in collaboration with Times
Higher Education (THE). University leaders from around the world provided insights into the
current state and benefits of AI in higher education, revealing the following key points:

1. AI Strategies: Currently, only a minority of universities have an established AI

strategy, but the majority have plans to develop one in the future.
2. Recruitment Challenges: Universities face difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff
with expertise in teaching and researching AI.
3. Increased Demand: AI is expected to increase the demand for university graduates
from employers and is not anticipated to lead to university closures.
4. AI Capabilities: Respondents believed that AI has the potential to assess students,
provide feedback, and generate scientific hypotheses at a level comparable to
humans, if not better.
5. Staffing Impact: Universities do not plan to reduce teaching, research, or
administrative staff due to AI implementation. In fact, some institutions may even hire
more staff.
6. Human+Machine Collaboration: The majority of respondents agreed that AI will
complement human scientific input rather than replacing it, resulting in a powerful
collaboration between humans and machines.

The survey also explored the possibility of AI replacing humans in routine lab tasks.
The majority of respondents disagreed with the notion that AI would decrease the demand
for humans in the lab, including research assistants, at least within the next two decades.
While 20 percent of respondents expected a decrease, 72 percent did not believe it would
happen, and 46 percent strongly disagreed with the suggestion.

To prepare for an AI-driven future, students must be equipped with technical skills
necessary for programming and interacting with AI. Education should also include subjects
like ethics, philosophy, complex decision-making, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and
emotional intelligence, which are areas where AI is less likely to surpass human capabilities.
Academic leadership needs to recognize that the subjects students study today may become
obsolete, and they should adapt their curriculum accordingly.

In an era of digital transformation and Industry 4.0, higher education institutions must
embrace Education 4.0 to remain relevant. Institutions that resist change and fail to embrace
AI will struggle to compete. They may resort to making redundancies in an attempt to
survive, but ultimately, they risk becoming obsolete themselves. The only constant is
change, and embracing it is crucial for the success of higher education institutions.
 5. Conclusion
To pave the way for the future of AI in higher education, a strategic and holistic
approach integrating education, planning, and research is crucial. Institutions need to
engage in transparent discussions about AI's impact, addressing issues such as data
collection, ownership, intellectual property, storage, security, and stakeholder rights and
privacy.

Establishing frameworks for ethical governance, such as the Rome Call for AI Ethics
and the Data Ethics Decision Aid, will guide institutions in using AI responsibly.

Additionally, higher education institutions must assess how AI will impact the labor
market, leading to a reevaluation of educational pathways to prepare students for a hybrid
labor market where AI plays a significant role.

Exploring an AI-across-the-curriculum approach, departments and faculty

development centers should identify ways to integrate AI applications and competencies into
the curriculum. Transdisciplinary AI competencies should reflect the diverse areas involved
in AI development, fostering collaboration and partnership between faculty from different
disciplines.

Establishing an interdisciplinary longitudinal research agenda can help universities

understand the social, ethical, and pedagogical challenges associated with AI. Collaboration
with industry and the public sector is important in creating integrated, transparent, and
impartial AI programs. Equipping students with lifelong learning skills will enable them to
navigate and contribute to our AI-driven society.