Humanoid robot in the classroom with a green chalkboard. Photo: 123RF/Alexander Limbach
The University of the South Pacific's vice-chancellor beleives "careful planning and cultural sensitivity" are needed when considering the place of artifical intelligence (AI) in the region.
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, who is also the university president, said AI could democratise education in the Pacific.
"Our region is home to a wide variety of cultures and languages that are deeply connected and dominated by the ocean and its surroundings," he wrote in an op-ed to mark the International Day of Education on 24 January.
"Consequently, AI must be developed and utilised with sensitivity to local contexts, ensuring that it supports, rather than diminishes, cultural identity and language preservation.
"For our region, careful planning, cultural sensitivity, and ethical considerations are critical in maintaining human agency and ensuring that these technologies serve the needs of all our diverse communities."
Photo: 123rf
He said AI is rapidly weaving itself into the very fabric of everyday life and the education sector is no exception.
"Personalised learning platforms powered by AI can adapt to individual learners' needs, pace, and style, offering a tailored educational experience once reserved for elites through practices such as private tutoring.
"This technological shift promises to bridge the gap for learners in under-resourced settings, offering access to quality education worldwide.
"Education systems will need to adapt and prepare students for evolving job markets while ensuring that automation does not disproportionately impact already vulnerable communities."
Around the world, AI is being used more and more frequently in many contexts - even robot pets.
Last year, the school said it was creating a policy to deal with ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, saying: "The University actively supports the integration of advanced technologies, including ChatGPT, into our educational environment, recognising the immense potential these tools hold for enhancing learning, research, and creative endeavours.
"However, as with any powerful technology, its application must be approached with a sense of responsibility and ethical consideration."
The policy was supposed to be in place by the end of 2024.
Ahluwalia said USP has significantly contributed to integrating artificial intelligence into education practices across the Pacific region.
However, he said with AI's advantages and opportunities come "significant concerns and challenges".
"As algorithms increasingly influence what students learn and how they learn it, there is a risk that learners may cede control over their educational journeys to automated systems.
"There remains a concern about data privacy... As educational platforms gather and analyse vast amounts of data to optimise learning experiences, questions arise about who controls this data and how it is used.
Ahluwalia said to preserve human 'agency' - defined in the Cambridge dictionary as "the ability to take action or to choose what action to take" - educators and policymakers must play a proactive role.
Pal Ahluwalia Photo: USP
He said USP researchers are actively working on some critical issues.
"These include the design and deployment of AI systems in education that must be guided by inclusive dialogues involving educators, students, and parents, ensuring that diverse perspectives shape how these technologies are used.
"Secondly, curricula should be developed to not only include technical literacy but also skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning-skills that remain uniquely human and are less susceptible to automation."
He also said that an ongoing ethical oversight mechanism must be established to monitor AI systems.
Also in 2024, a Vanuatu college principal took a firm stance against students' use of Chat-GPT within the school premises, sparking debate among educators and administrators.
Malapoa College Principal Shem Simon said utilising artificial intelligence tools like Chat-GPT could blur the lines between authentic student work and generated content.
Vanuatu Institute of Technology principal said at the time that it is a tool that can improve productivity, but educators need to remain vigilant in ensuring academic integrity.
