‘Address challenges in AI, technology in education’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged education policymakers and experts to address the challenges and “uncertainties” in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies in digital education.

Speaking before government leaders and education stakeholders at the 2023 Global Education and Innovation Summit (GEIS) in Seoul, South Korea last Thursday, Duterte said the advent of AI would create a “paradigm shift” in education, thus it must be harnessed with the aim of improving the students’ access to quality education.

“We now live in an era where undeniably, technology must be harnessed to improve access, quality and equality in education. And the advent of artificial intelligence will certainly create another paradigm shift in education. While this possibility will present newer and greater opportunities, it will also present many uncertainties in our vision of digital education,” she added.

At present, the use of AI in education still evokes shame or fear because it is still relatively unknown by the masses, according to the Vice President.

“Last night, I was editing the keynote message for this morning. And I was telling my colleague, ‘Why are we editing this keynote? Shouldn’t we use AI to edit this keynote at this hour?’ And then my colleague said, ‘Sshh, someone might hear you,’” she recounted.

“It appeared to me that AI evokes shame, evokes fear – because of the unknown,” she said.

Duterte noted that with the rapid advancement of technology, learners are constantly flooded with information, thus digital education must focus on developing the students’ critical thinking ability.

“It is equally important to teach children how to differentiate truthful information from the untrue, to know what contributes to a learner’s development and what does not, and what will instill in them the correct values that will turn them into productive citizens of their respective countries. Critical thinking has become more important than ever,” she said.

She added that digital education must also be geared toward developing the students’ communication skills, collaboration and creativity.

The education chief also called on policymakers and stakeholders to be “responsive to the effects of technology in our educational systems.”

“This means recognizing quickly what is not working and change it, to continuously improve even if it is a success and to always keep in mind that the most important result is not the technology itself, but how it affects the development of our learners,” she said.

Lastly, Duterte emphasized that “adaptability and sustainability of new technology in education systems must be studied by the end users before implementation.”

“This is in line with the thought that government programs and policies should be designed according to the behavior of people. We must recognize that some technologies may work for one ecosystem, but it may not work for others. It is the teachers and students who will be using it that will determine its effectivity,” she said.

“The ultimate result of all our efforts should be the molding of productive and peaceful global citizens, equipped with 21st century skills, but with a heart for nation-building,” she added.