Introduction to AI

  • 9 minutes

We’ve become accustomed to using artificial intelligence (AI) for home, work, and play—from digital voice assistants to algorithms that personalize our news and entertainment, learning platforms, and productivity tools.

In fact, many educators already use AI-powered technology in Microsoft 365 to do tasks like:

With new advancements in AI happening faster than before, educators might be wondering what it means for them. Educators worldwide have been taking small steps to understand and integrate AI into their work and often find it to be a valuable tool.

What is AI?

AI is defined as "the ability of a computer or other machine to perform those activities (or tasks) that are normally thought to require intelligence." (The American Heritage Dictionary)

This rapidly growing field focuses on developing computer systems capable of performing AI tasks that involve various data analyses or production. These tasks include providing predictions or recommendations, language translation, computer vision systems, or speech recognition. AI has the potential to transform various industries—including education—in ways such as automating processes and improving decision making.

Let's begin by exploring the exciting history of artificial intelligence.

  • 1936 – Alan Turing invented the Universal Machine (computer) as part of his effort to solve a puzzle.
  • 1955 – Computer scientist Alan Newell, along with systems programmer John Clifford Shaw and economist Herbert Simon, developed Logic Theorist, a program engineered to mimic human problem-solving skills.
  • 1955 – John McCarthy coined the term “artificial intelligence.”
  • 1964 – Joseph Weizenbaum, professor at MIT, created ELIZA, a chatbot designed to show conversational skills.
  • 1997 – IBM’s Deep Blue made history by defeating Gary Kasparov in a six-game chess match.
  • 2011 – IBM’s Watson supercomputer defeated Jeopardy’s all-time champion Ken Jennings in a televised match.
  • 2015 – Facebook’s DeepFace achieved 97.35% accuracy in facial recognition.
  • 2018 – Google Duplex became a part of Google Assistant, which allowed for cross-platform actions like scheduling a haircut.
  • 2019 – OpenAI’s GPT-2 achieved human-like performance in language processing, using deep neural networks.
  • 2022 – ChatGPT, built on the GPT-3.5 and InstructGPT architectures, represented a significant advancement in natural language processing as it improves from human feedback through reinforcement learning to allow for more nuanced and contextually appropriate responses.
  • 2023 – Microsoft launched new AI-powered experiences like Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

As the world of AI continues to evolve, it's helpful for educators to build some basic AI vocabulary.

Educators can benefit from the growing capabilities of AI as they request support in daily tasks, assistance in analyzing data, and ideate new learning experiences.

Some key terminologies in the field of artificial intelligence are:

  • Data: Facts that can be analyzed or used to gain knowledge or make decisions; information (American Heritage Dictionary)
  • Algorithm: A finite set of unambiguous instructions that, given some set of initial conditions, can be performed in a prescribed sequence to achieve a certain goal and that has a recognizable set of end conditions (American Heritage Dictionary)
  • Model: A function produced after it has been trained to recognize certain types of patterns in data
  • Training: The process of providing the model with an algorithm that it can use to reason over and learn from a set of data

Scientists program machines with algorithms to look for patterns in data. The model then applies the function to new data, which is called machine learning.

AI has numerous applications in education, with the potential to transform teaching and learning experiences. Some of the ways AI can benefit education include:

  • Personalize learning: Analyzes individual learning needs and helps educators to tailor instruction and materials to meet each learner's needs
  • Engage learners: Provides interactive experiences and immediate feedback to learners by helping them jump-start the creative process and improve learning outcomes
  • Analyze data efficiently: Assists educators in delivering actionable insights from data across different places, like in Insights
  • Improve accessibility: Builds more equitable learning environments with tools like read aloud, dictation, translation, and captioning
  • Create custom content: Creates lesson plans, quizzes, rubrics, and other class resources in any language and for any level of learner

AI offers immense potential to enhance education by personalizing learning experiences, automating tasks, and providing valuable insights to educators.

And just like with any new technology, educators should equip learners with the skills needed to effectively use AI tools and evaluate their outputs. As AI technologies continue to advance, it’s important for educators to be engaged and prepared to ensure all learners have the opportunity to develop these skills and access AI resources.

AI can empower educators to create engaging, innovative, and inclusive learning environments for learners while helping them prepare for the future. Embrace the possibilities!