Why Is Preserving Human Agency Important In Today’s AI-Enhanced Education System? #InternationalDayOfEducation

By: ImpactGuru

Published On: January 23, 2025

Special Note: This blog post was written without ChatGPT’s assistance. Proceed with caution. :-)

In today’s day and age, ChatGPT has become a household name for university students and corporate employees alike. Whether it be finishing an essay due at midnight, or completing a blog post on deadline, such generative AI platforms have become the saving grace, ideating within seconds and saving time and energy.

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However, as different forms of AI technology continue to advance, some ethical questions arise. When it comes to academics, should students ideally use such technologies to complete their assignments? In the long run, does generating content within seconds help or hinder one’s education?

Well, this topic can be debated upon for centuries on end. For now, what truly matters is achieving a balance – between AI and education and preserving the human touch in the world of automation. But is it possible to achieve that?

International Day Of Education 2025: Humanizing AI Advancements

Amidst the rising AI advancements, the United Nations addressed the dilemma of striking this balance on this year’s International Day Of Education with the theme – ‘AI & Education: Preserving Human Agency In A World Of Automation’.

Recognizing the important role education plays in a society’s development, International Day Of Education has been observed on January 24th every year since 2019. This year, as the UN attempts to recognise AI’s significance in the education sector, its goal is to ensure that AI acts as a collaborator, rather than a replacement for human agency in education.

What Does Human Agency Mean In The World Of AI?

According to the United Nations, “With AI advancements, the boundaries between human intention and machine-driven action often blur. This raises critical questions about how to protect and, ideally, elevate human agency in an age of technological acceleration and expanding automation.”

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However, in the context of education, what is the true meaning of reinforcing human agency? It is the ability to cultivate skills including critical thinking, ethical reasoning and emotional intelligence among developing minds that shape their learning experiences, which cannot be replicated by AI.

Utilizing AI’s promising capabilities needs to go hand-in-hand with maintaining this human agency. By considering AI a collaborator rather than a threat of replacement, education can be greatly revolutionised for educators, institutions and students.

How Can We Achieve This Balance?

As AI becomes more integrated into education, it’s vital to consider how we can strike a balance. To protect students’ ability to think independently, express themselves creatively, and navigate the world ethically against the risk of deepening human isolation with AI, let’s examine some strategies that can be put into place –

1. Using AI As A Collaborator, Not A Replacement

The focus should be on using AI not to replace human educators, but as a supportive tool that acts as a collaborator, ensuring that students continue to have access to meaningful educational experiences driven by humans.

2. Keeping Classrooms Social

We must strive to create AI-enhanced educational environments that not only make learning more accessible but also more connected, ensuring that students have opportunities for real-time collaboration, problem-solving and relationship-building with their peers.

3. Training Educators to Use AI Efficiently

To preserve human agency in education, it’s vital to train teachers in how to use AI in ways that support their role as educators. Professional development programs should focus on equipping teachers with the skills to curate and guide AI-assisted learning, ensuring that students still have room for exploration, creativity, and independent thought.

Hence, with these effective measures, a balanced classroom can be curated – one where technology serves as a bridge to more advanced and inclusive learning experiences.

AI’s Rising Role In Education

So far, artificial intelligence has played a pivotal role in education and helped make learning more inclusive and accessible for a diverse set of learners. Let’s explore the variety of benefits AI has to offer –

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1. Personalized Learning For Special Needs Students

For large classes where the teacher might not have time to address each student individually, AI can help analyze each student’s performance in real time and provide personalized learning solutions. This is especially beneficial for students with special needs, who require tailored programs according to their learning pace and style.

2. Breaking Barriers With Enhanced Accessibility

AI-driven tools such as speech-to-text, visual and auditory aids help create an inclusive and accessible environment for students with visual or hearing impairments. Additionally, AI-powered translation tools break language barriers for non-native speakers, ensuring an inclusive learning experience in the classroom.

3. Streamlining Administrative Tasks

AI can help educators save time by automating routine administrative tasks such as attendance tracking, timetable management, and resource allocation. By streamlining these processes, it allows teachers to focus more on the interactive and creative aspects of teaching such as lesson planning and student interaction.

4. Incorporating Interactive Learning Technologies

Through the integration of advanced tools such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), schools can enable hands-on learning in the form of simulations and virtual environments, allowing students to immerse themselves in various concepts by making learning more engaging and experiential.

The Reality Of Education In India

These AI advancements can truly change the face of the education field and pave the way for a more inclusive learning experience for all. However, its true potential can only be realized when all students can gain access to these innovations on an equal footing.

In India, despite a push towards digitising education, only 24.2% of schools have access to the internet. From nearly 1.2 lakh schools with just one teacher each to 26% of the population being illiterate, India has a long way to go in terms of allocating resources to provide quality education for one and all.

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These educational disparities create a structural divide among the population, limiting access to the relentless potential of AI in education. This is where crowdfunding platforms like ImpactGuru play an instrumental role.

By enabling individuals, communities, and organizations to raise funds for educational initiatives, ImpactGuru helps bridge these disparities in access to technology and quality education resources.

Also Read: Raise Money For Your Higher Education With Education Fundraising

Education Crowdfunding With ImpactGuru

With ImpactGuru, India’s leading crowdfunding platform, campaigns can be launched to raise funds for providing AI-based learning tools to schools in underserved areas or to sponsor scholarships for students who may not have access to such quality education. These raised funds help bring cutting-edge education to students who would otherwise miss out on the benefits of the technological revolution happening in classrooms.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was inspiring to witness a 17-year-old student, a mentor to 15 students at a Dharavi school, raise ₹1,55,000 to provide more than 10 tablets so that they could continue their education online.

“For years I had long conversations with each of the students about their lives, struggles and surroundings. I came to understand that education is still a privilege for a lot of students. They are extremely driven and motivated but some just don’t have resources. That’s when I came up with the idea of raising money through crowdfunding to get them tablets for online classes.”

– Aria Gupta

Over the decade, ImpactGuru has unfolded many more such resilient tales and positively changed the future for millions. To know more about how you can make a difference in someone’s future, visit here.

Also Read: BSS Mahim+Impact Guru Foundation Stand by School Support Staff

Connecting Human Agency and AI Through Empowerment

Technology, especially AI, should serve to empower individuals rather than replace them. By focusing on preserving human agency, we can advocate for an educational approach that not only adapts to technological advancements but also keeps the crucial human element of education alive.

This International Day Of Education, we work towards not only achieving a critical balance between AI and human agency in education but also actively expanding it, ensuring that every learner, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to benefit from the opportunities AI can provide.

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