Dubai, UAE: Is Extended Schooling Dicing with Oversaturation? Educator Proposes Tech to Compress Learning Hours

In a groundbreaking announcement, Dr Eesa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, has proposed a radical shift in the education system, advocating for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to address the challenges of the modern world.

Dr Al Bastaki believes that the future of education cannot be sustained without AI. He suggests that AI can make learning more efficient than traditional methods, making education accessible from any place, at any time, and from any device. The student's AI agent, as he describes, will help in moving from one program to another to get any desired certification.

Dr Al Bastaki's vision extends to the structure of schooling. He proposes a maximum of nine years, replacing the traditional 12 years of school education as "too much" in the age of technology. He also advocates for the rise of micro-credentials, short and flexible certifications that can be combined to build full degrees or professional qualifications.

The authors of the book 'AI and Education: When Smart Robots Become Educators', co-authored by Dr Al Bastaki and Dr Marcel Saucet, explore how AI can reshape education systems, certification models, and teaching practices. The book launch took place on Monday, although the publication date and publisher are yet to be specified.

The UAE is already leading the way in this transformation, being one of the world's first countries to teach AI in schools from Kindergarten. The country has also started accrediting micro-credentials, demonstrating its commitment to this innovative approach.

Dr Al Bastaki's AI agent can execute tasks without much human help, addressing declining attention spans by monitoring focus levels, adapting lesson delivery, and tailoring assessments. This agentic AI, as described by Dr Al Bastaki, is the key to making education more efficient and effective.

Dr Marcel Saucet, in an interview with Khaleej Times, stated that with the increasing number of students in the future, we need to go online. This shift towards digital learning is a crucial step in making education accessible and affordable for all.

However, Dr Al Bastaki warns that the current education model will not be able to cope with future demand. He urges educators and policymakers to embrace AI and agentic AI to ensure the sustainability and success of the education system in the coming years.

In conclusion, the integration of AI and agentic AI in education is a promising solution to the challenges faced by the traditional education system. With its ability to make learning more accessible, efficient, and effective, it is a step towards a brighter and more inclusive future for education.

Dubai, UAE: Is Extended Schooling Dicing with Oversaturation? Educator Proposes Tech to Compress Learning Hours