„Obviously none. Well, then everyone gets a six for cheating.“ „You can't do that! The essays are fine,“ Noah calls out to the class. „Of course I can. And anyway, how do you know the essays are fine? Well, did I hear that? I'll find out anyway.“ „Yes, well. Now that it's out anyway. One of us wrote a great prompt. Then he shared it in our WhatsApp group. And so we all gave the AI this prompt. But everyone did it on their own!“ Friedel: „I thought so. Do you actually think your teachers are asleep on the job? Of course, I also wrote a prompt for the AI to see who wants to mess with me. »The caste system in India with a focus on opportunities for advancement and risks of decline«. It's not that difficult, is it?“ (For our article on optimised prompts, click here here.)

So much for our example. Artificial intelligence has long since found its way into everyday school life. For a while, clever pupils were one step ahead of their teachers and were able to conceal the fact that they were making their work easier with AI systems such as ChatGPT. But teachers have caught up and can now spot a mile off when pupils try to delegate their tasks to AI. There's nothing wrong with using a chatbot for research. It's the library of the 21st century. But having entire papers written for you is nothing more than modern cheating.

At a time when lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important, artificial intelligence can play a helpful role. Whether you are a school pupil, student or working professional, everyone can benefit from the diverse functions offered by intelligent chatbots. Learning in 2024 can and must be completely rethought.

Personalised learning content

For example, a student who has difficulty with algebra could ask the chatbot specific questions about fractions, equations with unknowns or exponential functions and receive detailed step-by-step instructions. The chatbot can also offer different methods for solving a problem, which deepens understanding and promotes alternative approaches. This could also reduce or even eliminate the need for tutoring by human teachers. And families who cannot afford a tutor have an alternative that is not billed by the hour. A tutor is only available for a specific, booked time. With ChatGPT, a student can repeat exercises as often as necessary until they understand it at their own learning pace. The AI is neither annoyed nor tired.

Support with exam preparation

A practical example of this is support in preparing for exams. Intelligent systems can generate quiz questions that comprehensively cover the material and thus offer ideal preparation. In addition, complex topics can be explained in simple terms, which is important for understanding. Accessibility is the key word here. This is another advantage of AI, especially for students with German language deficits and a different learning pace. Pupils with a migrant background are expected to learn the German language. But before language barriers prevent them from understanding the learning content, pupils can have tasks translated into their native language and thus participate in the learning progress in class.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many guest worker families came to Germany. Logically, they also had children. Suddenly, children from Turkey, Yugoslavia and Italy were sitting in classrooms. Often they didn't say a single word – and how could they? They didn't speak a word of German. How could an AI application have helped them? If only it had existed back then.

AI for teachers

An AI application can also assist in the creation of learning materials. Teachers and lecturers can use the technology to develop teaching materials that fulfil or meaningfully supplement the curriculum. This allows teachers to focus more on the individual support of individual students.

For teachers, AI is not only a curse because students pass on their assignments to a chatbot. It is also a blessing because it helps teachers create materials that make lessons more engaging and enjoyable for students – and teachers alike. Learning content can be taught in a playful way, which can even inspire slightly unruly pupils to integrate into the lesson. This strengthens the class community and everyone benefits. A win-win-win-win situation.

Further training in the profession

In addition to traditional school education, AI also offers efficient benefits in the professional environment. On the one hand, further training costs money and working time. On the other hand, it benefits the employer by enabling employees to be deployed more effectively and in a more targeted manner after further training. This is particularly important in fast-moving industries where continuous development is essential in order to remain competitive.

A concrete example: An IT company can use an AI system to create training modules for new software developments or security protocols. Employees can work through interactive learning modules that teach them the necessary skills, receiving support from the chatbot when they encounter difficulties. For example, a software developer could ask specific questions about implementing a programming language and immediately receive helpful explanations and examples. In seconds.

Language learning support

Another aspect is the possibility of using AI to learn new languages. Intelligent chatbots can help you learn new languages or improve your existing language skills. ChatGPT „speaks“ over 20 languages fluently and can not only translate, but also make learning fun through interactive dialogues and personalised exercises. This promotes language comprehension, speaking skills and listening comprehension in equal measure.

An employee learning Spanish can use the chatbot to practise everyday conversations. The chatbot can also explain grammar rules and offer vocabulary exercises tailored to the individual's learning level and the specific requirements of the company, for example, a particular clientele or the vocabulary of a specific industry or sector.

Conclusion

In a few years, people will wonder how learning without AI worked in the 2010s (of the 21st century). We humans just have to be careful that artificial intelligence does not become the actual intelligence. If people – for the sake of convenience – delegate essential tasks to AI instead of using their own brains, the latter may atrophy. Cognitive abilities could be lost. „AI will take care of it.“ „AI is faster anyway.“ „How should I know? Ask ChatGPT.‘ This is exacerbated by the fact that AI applications are available anywhere and anytime with the help of smartphones. Why think for yourself?

The best example is the calculator. From the mid-1970s and throughout the 1980s, everyone had one in their pocket or on their desk. The result two generations later: who can still do simple arithmetic in their head or with pen and paper? 23 x 17 – (153 x 2) = X. Well, did you reach for your calculator? Sorry, your smartphone. Because it has a calculator function. We need help to figure out that the answer to this simple third-grade-level problem is 85. Evolution has to do with learning, not unlearning. With that in mind, take advantage of the blessings of artificial intelligence. Enrich your own intelligence in the process. With that in mind, look forward to episode 14 of our series: Creative Writing Through AI.