Page 82 - ALEF EDUCATION PR RPEORT MAY 2025

6/4/25, 8:39 AM AI will energise education but we must not repeat the mistakes of the past | The National
Social media triggered a deeper structural shift, transforming communication into constant, uncontrolled
content creation. This shift required education systems to evolve structurally, placing greater emphasis
on critical thinking and informed judgment in response to widespread misinformation.

AI should not simply be an additional layer on an already fragmented educational
system; its introduction must be strategic, timely and purpose-driven

Now, AI represents the deepest transformation yet. Unlike previous technologies, AI replicates aspects
of human cognition and decision-making, providing immediate answers without clear questioning. This
demands a profound rethink, beyond mere adaptation, to redefine what learning should entail and how
we can safeguard essential human skills.

The EdTech era taught us valuable lessons. While digital platforms intended to personalise learning,
they also exposed significant risks. These include mandatory adoption without a clear pedagogical
rationale; teacher overload from integration demands; student engagement without clarity of purpose;
and neglect of foundational skills such as reading, writing and reasoning.

We must not repeat these mistakes. AI should not simply be an additional layer on an already
fragmented educational system; its introduction must be strategic, timely and purpose-driven.

To move forward clearly, we must distinguish the specific roles AI can play in education. The technology
could deliver personalised education, though this would require foundational skills first and significant
shifts in pedagogical practices. AI could also be used as a learning tool for students and teachers, but
this demands AI literacy: understanding when, how, and why to use AI, recognising its limitations and
biases. The use of AI as a domain of creation, meanwhile, would mean preparing future developers of AI
with technical competence and ethical awareness. And finally, AI could be used in educational
operations, with the technology utilised in management and policymaking, independent of pedagogical
transformation. Clearly defining these categories helps ensure intentional adoption rather than
generalized application.

Before broader integration, our priority must be AI literacy among students, teachers and parents. We
need a collective understanding of how AI tools operate and are trained; potential biases and ethical

challenges; safe, critical and effective AI use; and how to leverage AI to enhance human skills and
productivity. Without this foundational literacy, we risk creating passive consumers rather than
empowered participants.

While AI enhances educational systems, it cannot replace human judgment, values or decision-making
under uncertainty. These human traits are crucial for leadership, citizenship and innovation in the AI age.

If AI is prematurely introduced, we risk trading long-term human potential for short-term efficiency. Our
focus must remain on people – not technology alone – ensuring purposeful, meaningful engagement

with AI.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2025/05/02/ai-education-technology-uae-middle-east/ 3/4