How AI is Revolutionizing Education: 15 Innovations That Are Transforming Learning
Our current education systems were designed for the industrial age to produce factory workers. Students sit passively in lectures while teachers deliver a one-size-fits-all curriculum. This antiquated model fails to engage students or prepare them for the 21st-century job market.
According to a recent survey by CYPHER Learning, 70% of employees say schools are not adequately preparing students for the workforce. Another study found that 40-60% of students are chronically disengaged in class. Our education system is in dire need of an upgrade.
AI and education technology can transform learning by enabling personalized, engaging, accessible education at scale. Researchers predict that AI in education will grow by 47% from 2020 to 2025. Now is the time to leverage these groundbreaking technologies to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
In this article, you'll learn about 15 incredible AI applications revolutionizing education from preschool to higher ed. Get ready to reimagine school.
1. Automated Writing Evaluation Tools Assess Essays
Imagine never having to grade another essay. Automated writing evaluation (AWE) tools use AI to score student writing and provide personalized feedback.
Researchers at Springer say AWE tools grade essays more accurately than human raters. Receiving instant AI feedback from solutions such as AI grader by Smodin helps students revise and improve their writing dramatically faster. AWE tools automate rote grading and give teachers personalized feedback so they can spend less time evaluating and more time developing their students' writing skills.
2. AI Tutors Provide 1-on-1 Instruction
What if you had access to a private tutor anytime, anywhere? AI tutoring systems use natural language processing to deliver personalized instruction, feedback, and practice.
Century Tech
Century Tech is among companies bringing this vision to life with AI platforms that teach lessons tailored to each student's strengths, weaknesses, interests, and pace of learning. Whereas one size does not fit all in classroom instruction, 1-on-1 digital tutoring can boost student performance by up to two grade levels over a school year.
Pros:
- Personalized learning
- Data-driven insights
- Scalable
Cons:
- Initial setup complexity
- Higher cost
Price:
Start at £1275 per year per school
Third Space Learning
https://thirdspacelearning.com/
This tool provides AI tutoring for hundreds of UK primary schools. Students receive weekly 1-on-1 math lessons online with a tutor. Their platform uses AI to monitor student progress and ensure support is working. Teachers have seen up to 7 months of additional progress per student.
Pros:
- Specialized math tutoring
- Qualified tutors
- Proven progress
Cons:
- Limited to UK
- Scheduling alignment needed
Price: ~ $30/student/session
The global AI market in education is expected to grow exponentially to $32 billion in the next 6 years. AI-powered tutoring will make personalized learning scalable.
3. Virtual Reality Immerses Students in Experiences
Imagine exploring the International Space Station or even sailing with dolphins without ever leaving the classroom. Virtual reality (VR) allows students to walk through immersive digital experiences.
Research states that VR increases student engagement, motivation and memory retention. The global VR education market is set to grow by 84% by 2028.
Companies like Nearpod and zSpace let teachers launch virtual field trips with the click of a button. Using VR sets, students embark on interactive explorations of everything from Machu Picchu to Mars. These experiences spark curiosity and make learning fun.
Nearpod
Nearpod is an interactive learning platform that offers virtual reality (VR) content alongside other digital learning tools. It allows teachers to create and deliver engaging lessons with multimedia elements, including VR experiences.
Pros:
- Interactive VR content
- User-friendly
- Collaboration features
Cons:
- Requires VR hardware
- Content limitations
Pricing:
- Free tier
- Premium ~$159/school/year
zSpace
zSpace is a comprehensive VR and augmented reality (AR) educational system focused on STEM subjects. It provides immersive, hands-on learning experiences with specialized hardware and software.
Pros:
- High-quality VR
- STEM focus
- Hands-on learning
Cons:
- Expensive hardware
- Space requirements
Pricing: ~ $2,500 per setup
Additionally, VR allows students to practice high-risk skills safely. Medical students use VR surgeries to perform surgery without putting real patients at risk. Aspired pilots can log flight hours in realistic cockpit simulations. Such experiential learning speeds up skill development.
As VR technology improves and becomes more affordable, immersive education will soon be the norm, not the. exception
4. Adaptive Learning Platforms Personalize Instruction
Imagine a learning platform as unique as your fingerprint. Adaptive learning systems use AI to tailor instruction to students' level and paced goals.
Dreambox
Dreambox dynamically personalizes K-8 math instruction using intelligent algorithms. As students progress lessons and practice problems, Dreambox adapts in real-time matches to their skills. This targeted learning accelerates growth for struggling and gifted students alike.
Pros:
- Real-time adaptation
- Comprehensive analytics
- Engaging interface
Cons:
- Focused on math
- Subscription cost
Pricing: ~15−15−25/student/year
Knewton
https://www.wiley.com/en-us/education/alta
Knewton was one of the first adaptive learning platforms for higher education. The company partnered with major publishers like Pearson and Cengage to provide personalized courseware. Their platform identifies knowledge gaps by analyzing individual student trajectories and recommends specific activities to fill them.
Pros:
- Broad subject coverage
- Publisher partnerships
- Dynamic adjustments
Cons:
- Complex implementation
- Data quality dependence
Pricing: Custom pricing upon contact
As adaptive learning technology advances, education can shift from a one-size-fits-all system to a student-centered model that helps learners thrive.
5. Intelligent Homework Helpers Reduce Busywork
Imagine never having to slog through another problem set alone. Intelligent homework helper platforms use AI to give students on-demand support with assignments, practice and study.
Snapask
Tools like Snapask use chatbots to answer student questions in real-time. They can explain confusing concepts, nudge students in the right direction, and identify knowledge gaps.
Pros:
- Real-time assistance
- Wide subject range
- Multilingual support
Cons:
- Subscription fees
- Quality variability
Pricing: HK$880/month
Photomath goes even further by providing step-by-step guidance to solve math problems. Students simply snap a picture of the question, and the app walks them through it. It's like having worked examples on demand.
6. Early Warning Systems Flag At- StudentsRisk
Imagine identifying struggling students before they slip through the cracks. AI early warning systems use data analytics to pinpoint kids at risk for issues like failing a course, dropping out of school, or not transitioning to college.
Dropout Detective
https://aspiredu.com/dropout-detective/
Platforms like Dropout Detective by the American Institutes for Research analyze various student data points. Warning signs may include low assignment grades, missed school days, behavioral referrals and more. The goal is to intervene early.
Pros:
- High prediction accuracy
- Comprehensive data analysis
- Actionable insights
Cons:
- Data privacy concerns
- Implementation complexity
Pricing: Custom pricing upon contact
According to a Columbia University study, early warning systems can accurately predict 80-90 % of dropouts. Schools using these AI tools have increased graduation rates by up to 20 percentage points.
Mythware
https://www.mythware.com/#/cms-keyFeatures
Mythware is an AI platform that provides free early warning reports to K-12 schools in the U.S. It integrates student information systems, learning apps, and other school data. Their dashboard makes it easy for counselors and teachers to identify and help struggling students.
Pros:
- Free access
- User-friendly dashboard
- Integrates multiple data sources
Cons:
- Limited to U.S. K-12
- Potential overreliance
Pricing: Free
Early intervention enabled by AI can get struggling students back on track to graduate. These tools ensure we leave no child behind.
7. AI College & Career Guidance Matches Students to Opportunities
What if you had someone better than you who knows your strengths, passions, and possibilities? Who was your personal guidance counselor? AI-powered advising platforms help students find college majors and career paths that are a good fit.
xQ
xQ is one tool that uses predictive analytics to help students match majors and careers that best suit their talents and interests. Assessments and preferences are used to build the app's personalized profiles, which are then used to generate career matches.
Pros:
- Predictive analytics
- Personalized profiles
- User engagement
Cons:
- Data quality dependence
- Limited human interaction
Pricing: Custom pricing upon contact
AI advising systems have increased retention by 15-20% by helping guide students into the right major the first time. Getting matched to a personalized academic and career plan makes students more engaged, directed, and successful.
CollegePoint
https://www.collegepoint.info/
AI advising also helps close equity gaps. CollegePoint uses texting campaigns to connect underserved students with personalized college and financial aid advice. In a randomized control trial, the AI advising model increased college enrollment rates for low-income students by 10 percentage points.
Pros:
- Focus on equity
- Comprehensive support
- Proven impact
Cons:
- Niche focus
- Technology dependence
Pricing: Custom pricing through partnerships
As AI advising technology advances, more students will get the tailored guidance they need to discover and pursue paths they are passionate about.
8. Cognitive Assistants Support Students with Special Needs
Imagine an AI-powered aide for learning differences and disabilities. Cognitive assistant technologies provide accommodations and modifications to support neurodiverse minds.
From visual schedule planners to speech-to-text captioning, tech removes barriers for students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.
Read&Write
https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/
Voice recognition writing tools like Read&Write even assist with students' physical disabilities.
Pros:
- Accessibility features
- Versatile integration
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Subscription costs
- Learning curve
Pricing:
- K-12 Group -$17 annually per student
- K-12 District - $2.55 annually per student
- 170 annually for individuals
Cognii
Cognii is an AI virtual assistant that helps detect reading disabilities early and delivers personalized literacy instruction. Assistive learning technology fills in gaps rather than requiring students to fit a standardized mold.
Pros:
- Early detection
- Personalized instruction
- Engaging platform
Cons:
- Specialized focus
- Integration needs
Pricing: Custom pricing through contact
According to a NewSchools survey, 63% of students with learning disabilities are using edtech tools to improve school performance. As cognitive assistants advance, they will ensure that no student falls through the cracks.
9. AI Simulations Offer Safe Practice Environments
Interactive role-playing is the basis for using AI-powered experiential learning platforms, where students can apply their skills in immersive virtual environments.
Labster
Labster is a tool that allows science lab experiments that are too dangerous, expensive, or unethical in the real world. Nursing students can use virtual patients to practice emergency trauma care, and physics students can manipulate gravitational wave simulations. This experiential learning helps cement understanding.
Pros:
- Comprehensive simulations
- Safe learning environment
Cons:
- STEM-centric
- Internet dependency
Pricing: Custom pricing through contact
STRIVR
STRIVR has developed VR training systems that Fortune 500 companies use to develop leaders. Learn challenging workplace conversations and get coaching from AI.
Pros:
- Professional training focus
- Realistic simulations
- Data analytics
Cons:
- High cost
- Specialized use case
Pricing: Custom, typically tens of thousands annually
The global market for VR and AI training simulations is predicted to grow by $40 billion over the next decade. As technology advances, more fields will leverage simulated learning environments to fast-track skill development.
10. AI Textbooks Adapt to Each Student's Needs
Imagine learning customized like an expert teacher in textbooks. Courseware powered by AI tailors instruction to each student's strengths, weaknesses, and pace of understanding.
Carnegie Learning
https://www.carnegielearning.com/
For example, the AI and cognitive science used in the Carnegie Learning curriculum are used to personalize math instruction. As students work through lessons, the system continually adjusts the difficulty level, and coaching keeps in them their "zone of proximal development" where optimal learning occurs.
Pros:
- Adaptive math curriculum
- Research-backed
- Comprehensive support
Cons:
- Mathematics-only
- Higher cost
Pricing:
~$35/student/year
Knewton
https://www.wiley.com/en-us/education/alta
Knewton was one of the first platforms to bring adaptive learning to college textbooks. They created courses in fields from economics to chemistry, adapting to individual students by partnering with major publishers. Based on this, their algorithm identifies knowledge gaps and suggests which textbook sections and practice problems to fill them.
It's almost as if we could cross-pollinate the AI courseware with the high-quality content of expert-authored texts. Students would learn faster and more deeply, and publishers could offer a more personalized reading experience. That's a win-win for moving from traditional passive learning to active skill building.
11. Personalized Learning Through AI
Artificial intelligence enables personalized and adaptive learning for students. AI-powered education software can analyze students' strengths, weaknesses, interests and learning pace. It can then create curriculum, assignments and assessments that fit the needs of every learner.
Century Tech
For instance, Century Tech is an AI platform that offers personalized learning paths in math, reading and writing for K-12 students. Century Tech's activities allow students to work through them; the system tracks their progress, adjusts content difficulty levels, and provides tailored feedback. According to early studies, Century Tech students make 1.5 to 2 times the learning gains as traditional instruction.
A student-centric education can be created by creating a personalized learning plan for every student. By taking out the 'one size fits all' approach, AI edtech enables truly personalized instruction to get each learner to their potential.
12. AI Writing Assistance and Feedback
From grammar checkers to plagiarism detectors to offering writing comments, artificial intelligence finds many uses to help students produce better work.
Grammarly
Natural language processing tools like Grammarly find grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style mistakes. This lets students use instantaneous artificial intelligence comments to hone their writing abilities.
Pros:
- Comprehensive writing assistance
- User-friendly
- Real-time feedback
Cons:
- Privacy concerns
Pricing:
- Free
- Premium ~$12/month (If billed annually)
Turnitin
https://www.turnitin.com/products/features/ai/
Other initiatives like Turnitin search student work for originality using machine learning techniques. This guards academic integrity and discourages plagiarism. These days, essay scoring systems can also evaluate writing on coherence, vocabulary use, and style. Automated essay scoring lets teachers assign more writing without feeling overburdened by hand grading.
Pros:
- Effective plagiarism and AI content detection
- Comprehensive database
- Feedback tools
Cons:
- False positives
Pricing:
Custom pricing through contact
These artificial intelligence writing assistants, taken together, offer students the real-time feedback they need to assess and develop their work. Students' independent use of the technology helps to reinforce skills, freeing teachers to concentrate on high-value instruction.
13. AI for Improved School Administration
Although most applications of AI education center on instruction and learning, AI can also improve important administrative chores for schools. For instance, AI can enable schools to digitize and automate manual documentation on enrollment, attendance tracking, and record keeping.
Power School
Leading school information system Power School uses artificial intelligence and automation to streamline administrative tasks. While providing administrators better access to student records, functions like auto-enrollment help to lower data entry and paperwork. AI data analytics also enable managers to spot trends in absenteeism, discipline problems, and at-risk student groups in demand of early intervention.
Pros:
- Comprehensive SIS
- Easy integration
- Robust analytics
Cons:
- Complexity
Pricing:
Ranges from $4,95 to $30 monthly, depending on the subscription
Brainbox AI
From an operations standpoint, AI building management systems like Brainbox AI maximize heating, cooling, and lighting systems to lower school energy consumption. The AI tracks utility usage and weather data to make automatic adjustments that save power when possible. According to NREL, schools can achieve up to a 25% reduction in total energy costs. AI building automation frees up facility budgets to invest more resources directly into education programs.
Pros:
- Energy efficiency
- Cost savings
- Automated adjustments
Cons:
- Initial investment
- Technology dependence
Pricing:
Custom
14. AI for Enhanced School Security
AI video analytics have immense potential to make schools safer places to learn. With computer vision and deep learning models, AI security camera systems can automatically detect guns, weapons, fights, intruders, and other threats.
ZeroEyes
The AI solution from ZeroEyes, for example, can identify weapons in under 3 seconds with over 95% accuracy to quickly alert school resource officers.
Pros:
- Rapid threat detection
- High accuracy
- Seamless integration
Cons:
- Privacy concerns
- High cost
Pricing:
Less than $600 per year per digital camera stream
AI can also analyze social media posts and online content to identify warning signs of self-harm, violence, bullying, substance abuse, and other issues. From proactive digital scanning to real-time video monitoring, AI gives schools additional eyes and ears to create proactive security networks. AI security tools enable faster response times and early interventions when risks emerge.
15. AI Tutoring and Teaching Assistants
AI tutors are a growing trend in education. They provide supplemental one-on-one academic support to reinforce classroom teaching. The AI tutors use natural language processing to understand student responses, assess gaps in skills and knowledge, and offer personalized guidance tailored to the exact need.
If a student struggles to grasp a concept, the AI tutor will find different ways to explain the material while checking for understanding after each clarification. The AI tutors also gamify lessons and provide encouraging feedback to motivate students. And unlike human tutors, AI tutors are infinitely scalable — an unlimited number of students can access AI tutoring at any time.
The 24/7 availability and personalized support make AI tutors a powerful resource for supplemental practice. AI tutoring systems allow students to get help instantly when they are struggling instead of waiting for the next scheduled session with a human tutor. AI tutoring offers consistent, high-quality instruction to every learner.
Core AI Technologies Enabling Advancements in Education
Several important artificial intelligence technologies enable the most recent developments, which change and improve education. Emerging uses based on these fundamental approaches help improve the learning process's efficiency, effectiveness, and enjoyment.
Visioning how education can keep using AI-based solutions to generate better pedagogies depends on an awareness of these underlying technologies.
Five key artificial intelligence technologies below are advancing teaching and learning:
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP lets computer systems analyze, process, create, and understand human language. Key NLP uses in education include automated grading of written work, feedback on essays, conversations with artificial intelligence tutors, and quiz-based comprehension evaluation.
Students can turn in essays and short answers to NLP systems evaluating grammar, spelling, vocabulary complexity, topic relevance, and other qualities of good writing. This lets teachers assign more writing assignments while NLP handles time-consuming hand grading.
AI tutors and chatbots using NLP also help to interpret student questions and then provide tailored explanations and clarifications. From one-on-one tutoring to writing support, NLP is a must-have tool for every classroom.
Machine Learning & Deep Learning
Statistical models and algorithms enable machine learning, which allows computer systems to progressively "learn" from data without explicit programming. Recommendations and forecasts grow more accurate as more student data passes through machine learning models.
A subset of machine learning based on neural networks, deep learning can find latent patterns and relationships in enormous amounts of data that humans would not be able to find readily. Deep learning allows quick interventions by helping to forecast student involvement, performance, knowledge gaps, and general development needs.
Smart adaptive learning platforms, virtual reality simulations, game-based education, and other artificial intelligence uses will be made possible by continuous developments in machine learning and deep learning.
Computer Vision
By replicating the human visual cortex, computer vision lets artificial intelligence systems correctly label, interpret, and contextualize images, videos, and other visual data. Through facial and emotional recognition, this technology helps evaluate student responses, degrees of involvement, and pain points during classes.
Computer vision lets artificial intelligence assess images, graphs, sketches, and videos turned in for assignments. This releases teachers from hand grading and offers more chances for multimedia learning.
As computer vision and image recognition advance, artificial intelligence can better support early childhood education by analyzing drawings and powering interactive simulations using 3D models.
Speech Recognition
Speech recognition helps artificial intelligence systems process and translate verbal language into texts, and computational algorithms can evaluate and interpret, much like computer vision for images.
Speech recognition supports voice-based student-AI interactions, including dictating essay drafts, asking AI tutors questions, giving verbal responses to test preparation questions, and other learning uses.
The technology can support multi-modal interfaces and enable more natural interactions with AI tools as speech recognition accuracy increases, improving immersion and social presence during the learning process.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics uses statistical and machine learning methods to make data-driven forecasts about future events or outcomes. It can assist in an educational environment by helping to forecast student performance, engagement trajectories based on behavior, knowledge or skill gaps impacting development, rates of content comprehension, risk levels and probability of specific outcomes, and more.
Schools can feed predictive engine algorithms with a variety of student data, including demographics, attendance patterns, past grades, quiz results, online behavior, notes from counselors, extracurricular activities, and other factors linked to success criteria. Early identification of possible hazards and obstacles enables quick response.
Constant innovations in these fundamental artificial intelligence technologies will open fresh ideas to improve education and enable widespread self-directed learning under control. The fundamental infrastructure allowing artificial intelligence innovation in education is NLP, machine learning, computer vision, speech recognition, and predictive analytics.
Conclusion: The Future is Now
This article explores the AI applications that will reshape how learning occurs in the 21st century and shows how education technology will change learning in the 21st century. Emerging innovations such as AI tutors, experiential simulations and adaptive platforms provide a vision for the future of personalized, engaging, and effective education for every student.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated schools' adoption of education technology out of necessity. However, innovators have only begun to scratch the surface of using AI to upgrade how we teach and learn.
The author predicts groundbreaking applications on the horizon, from AI lecturers who make interactive lessons to holographic virtual teachers and more. One thing is for sure in this rapidly evolving landscape: the future of education is digital,
