The fast and unprecedented development of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every sector by revolutionizing the traditional way of doing business. Despite its dual nature, as it has opportunities and challenges, each sector is exploring and exploiting the emerging technology’s new opportunities. The universal nature of the artificial intelligence is revolutionizing all sorts of industries, be it the finance sector, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and other sectors. AI, especially generative AI, is the most transformative technology currently, where its influence is growing in all sectors.
The education sector is not an exception in facing the influence of AI, both positively and negatively. Even though it comes with tremendous challenges, exploring and endorsing AI in the education sector is becoming an important issue as it helps to improve access and quality education, especially in the Global South. According to experts in the sector, AI holds tremendous potential to transform education, underscoring the need to be cautious in its implementation to evaluate the opportunities and the challenges. As technological innovations are helping to advance and improve both access to education and quality of education, endorsing AI properly can transform the education sector, mainly in the developing world.
Still, introducing AI in the education sector needs appropriate policies, strategies, and regulations to overcome the critical challenges. Endorsing AI in education, particularly in the Global South where quality education still faces significant challenges, can potentially revolutionize learning practices by personalized learning experiences.
Last week, the Kotebe University of Education (KUE) organized a conference on AI titled “International Conference in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: Challenges and Opportunities for the Global South.” Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT), Bayisa Bedada (PhD) said that the omnipresent nature of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing all sorts of industries, including the education sector. As to him, AI has a transformative capacity and recognizing its widespread implications for the education sector depends upon the policy makers particularly in the Global South.
According to Bayisa, AI can revolutionize the education sector through improving learning practices by enhancing personalized learning practices, streamlining administrative work, and offering data-driven insights that can effectively guide pedagogical practice. Similarly, “especially in the Global South, where the education sector is facing learning challenges and scarce resources, AI comes across as an invaluable resource that can bridge gaps in accessibility and equity,” the state minister reiterated. Through the application of AI technologies, he said, “we can cultivate more diverse learning communities that meet the specific needs of each learner, thus empowering them to succeed in the future world.”
According to MInT, Ethiopia is witnessing an increasing appetite towards AI and its wide-ranging application in various fields, the education sector mentioned among these sectors. Appreciating the importance of incorporating AI in education as a primary element for the national development program, Bayissa underscores the government’s commitment to be engaged in fostering an ecosystem that accelerates the incorporation of innovative technologies in every sector, including education. “We continue to be engaged in fostering an environment that facilitates innovation, inspiring teachers, researchers, and technologists to work together and create the potential for AI to enhance teaching and learning outcomes,” he noted.
Considering the developing role of the AI in every sector, Ethiopia’s policy interventions give due focus on creating a robust digital infrastructure and suitable ecosystem to enable the infusion of AI technologies in education. By incorporating the new technology, Ethiopia’s aspiration focuses on using AI as an agent of social development and economic growth, in addition to using it as a means for education development. “MInT is working for the deployment of AI across different sectors. We are investing in research, and development, establishing digital skills, and establishing partnerships that facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building,” stated calling the stakeholders in the education sector to work together in maximizing the opportunities of AI and minimizing its challenges in the field.
The state minister’s message indicated that the Ethiopian government is harnessing AI as a transformative force in education, balancing bold innovation with careful regulation. We are seeing a surge in demand for AI in Ethiopia’s classrooms,” he said. To support this, MInT is building robust digital infrastructure and partnering with academia, industry, and civil society to align strategies with national priorities.
For his part, Education State Minister, Kora Tushune said that AI has an immense potential to deliver affordable, personalized learning tools in a resource-scarce nation with limited infrastructure and a shortage of teachers. Still, due to the dual nature of AI, it is important to incorporate it into the education sector with caution, by preparing necessary regulatory mechanisms. As to him, it is critically important to assess and manage the risks like cheating, scams, and overreliance on technology without proper oversight, when applying AI in the education sector.
“Integrating AI demands clear policies,” Kora stressed, emphasizing the need to address academic dishonesty and ethical challenges. As to him, AI is the most transformative technology of this time, especially Generative AI, with its profound implications for the future of education in general and the global south in particular. “AI in general and Generative AI in particular has emerged as a most disruptive and promising technology that is revolutionizing how we teach, learn and think,” Kora stated, adding that despite the technology comes with immense opportunities, the advancements in generative AI need cautious optimism and demands attention, collaboration and foresight.
As it is growing unprecedentedly, it is important to explore how generative AI can unlock new opportunities, address persistent challenges, and ultimately, create a more equitable, inclusive, and effective educational ecosystem in countries like Ethiopia, the state minister of Education further stated. “Where educational resources are extremely scarce, students are less prepared, and infrastructure is inadequate, GenAI presents many possibilities to address these challenges by providing accessible, low-cost, and personalized learning tools, enabling students to access high-quality educational content, bridging gaps in teacher availability, and offering Realtime feedback and support, even in areas with limited infrastructure or internet connectivity,” Kora added.
For him, AI can promote empowerment, efficiency, and inclusivity if it is leveraged strategically, underscoring its potential to democratize education and ensure individuals the opportunity to learn and thrive. Similarly, AI can simplify teaching and assist educators by automating administrative tasks. “While AI opens up doors to immense opportunities and possibilities to revolutionize the learning experience, it is important to be aware of the challenges and responsibilities that come with these potentials,” he stated adding “As we integrate GenAI into education we are confronted with ethical, practical, and pedagogical challenges that can dilute the technological dividend we garner from the technology.”
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sofie FROM-EMMESBERGER, stated during the event that AI holds tremendous potential for transforming education, emphasizing the need to evaluate the opportunities and challenges of AI in the sector. She further stated that AI is gradually revolutionizing nearly every sector of our economies and societies. The technology can accelerate higher education institutions to enhance research capabilities, in data analysis and statistical research, literature review and even content generation, “as long as the outputs of AI tools are carefully verified by the researchers,” the ambassador reiterated.
Ambassador Sofie calls for substantial investment in infrastructure, digital skills, and policy development, in addition to the investments in the technological development.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 7 MARCH 2025
