AI Will Disrupt Education Unless Educators Can Keep Up

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a significant challenge for technology educators striving to prepare students for the swiftly evolving tech landscape.

Educators in British Columbia report integrating AI into their courses and modifying their teaching approaches. However, given AI’s rapid advancement, creating a comprehensive course covering all aspects of AI proves challenging.

Aaron Hunter, the director for the Centre for Cybersecurity at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), mentions adapting courses to leverage AI tools for software engineering. BCIT initiated projects, like a five-week challenge, where students creatively addressed problems using available AI tools. AI components have been incorporated into BCIT’s programs, covering AI fundamentals, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

Lighthouse Labs, a Vancouver-based coding education organization, has similarly integrated AI education into existing programs. CEO Jeremy Shaki emphasizes the need to keep pace with AI changes in the job market, integrating large language models (LLMs) into student workflows. The focus is on teaching proficient AI tool usage and providing resources for staying updated.

While AI has influenced elective courses at BCIT and Lighthouse Labs, neither institution has introduced a specific AI-centric course or fundamentally changed their curriculum. The rapid evolution of AI technology outpaces the ability to create a fixed curriculum.

Hunter acknowledges the necessity of software engineers with broad knowledge, emphasizing that current embedded knowledge remains crucial. However, both BCIT and Lighthouse Labs are preparing for a future where certain knowledge becomes obsolete.

Shaki underscores the speed of AI changes, emphasizing the importance of building a foundational understanding of proper AI usage over teaching specific tools. The focus is on fostering curiosity and adaptability, as tools and technologies can quickly become outdated.

AI’s impact on computing education is evident in the transformation of coding tasks, which can now be automated by AI tools. This shift necessitates an adjustment in teaching methods, with a focus on students explaining their code’s functionality and demonstrating understanding.

Shaki believes AI won’t replace tech workers but will underscore the importance of their ability to use AI effectively and communicate its workings to clients. As the software development landscape evolves, effective communication about software functionality and decision-making processes becomes increasingly vital.