Todd Marks is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Mindgrub Technologies, the cutting-edge digital experiences agency.
The U.S. education system model is more than 160 years old.
That’s older than the first traffic light. Older than the periodic table of elements. Older than the first gasoline-engine car. Needless to say, it’s long overdue for an update.
With dedicated physical buildings, ringing bells, students in rows and lecturing reminiscent of the age of the Industrial Revolution when we needed factory workers, our approach to education has remained the same. Our curriculum is similarly unchanged. The focus is still largely on the same four subject areas: English, math, science and history.
Since the first iterations of the internet in the 1960s, we are entering a new age. Now we find ourselves in the “Connection Era,” with many changes brought on by the explosion of online information. From my perspective, as we continue through these technological evolutions, it’s more important than ever that we take stock of our education system. I believe there is a greater need to modernize curriculum with a focus on entrepreneurship, sustainability and career development.
While some schools have developed more up-to-date subject matter, such as Milton Hershey School where there is an emphasis on career and leadership development, I believe schools at large should strive to meet the moment in this new age of technology—and technology companies need to help them.
The State Of The Current System And The Importance Of Technology
As a former teacher, I’ve experienced the education system’s challenges and limitations firsthand. I understand the struggle teachers face every day. Many of them still have to make do with extremely limited budgets, worn-out textbooks and outdated technology. While my being a technophile put me at odds with those surroundings, it also allowed me to see the impact emerging technology could have on such an integral sector in our communities. Now, as CEO and founder of a tech company that builds artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, I believe the time has come to reevaluate our models.
With the power of the internet, mobile devices, personalization and AI at our fingertips, educators need the room to teach the next generation of students how to use these tools safely and effectively. Additionally, I think we can explore the possibility of transitioning away from our dependency on traditional in-person teaching models and physical classrooms as the world increasingly embraces online communication.
Of course, fully embracing technology in a modern curriculum would not mean shedding our need for face-to-face interactions. I believe students and teachers would still need to meet in the real world for socialization, music, arts and physical education. But instead of traditional school buildings, perhaps we could take a page from homeschooling and leverage assets present in communities, such as art centers, libraries, parks and sports fields, by balancing funding to public infrastructure.
Reimagining College And Career Pathways In The Connection Era
This education overhaul extends to our legacy of thinking around college and higher education. The prevailing “college for the sake of college” mindset often overlooks alternative pathways that can lead to fulfilling high-paying careers. The high costs and debt many students incur, coupled with high inflation rates, create a generation unable to afford housing and create wealth. Meanwhile, high-paying trade jobs that don’t require four-year degrees are going unfulfilled.
With budget and teacher shortages and the technical inventions now at our fingertips, I think it is time to consider focusing on remote, personalized and adaptive AI-powered education. At a minimum, we could turn to technology to help fill in where we have shortages.
How AI Can Help Support Education (But Not Replace It)
While there’s still trepidation around AI in education, sticking our heads in the sand won’t make these advances disappear. AI bots and agents can potentially revolutionize education if integrated strategically.
These systems can adapt to individual learning styles, pacing and interests, offering content tailored to each student’s needs. Educators can also use these tools to automate administrative tasks and grading and even generate lesson plans. Furthermore, AI agents can help bridge gaps caused by teacher shortages and budget cuts, which could help ensure every student has access to educational support, regardless of location or resources.
However, implementing AI in schools comes with several challenges, such as a lack of understanding, ethical concerns, trust issues, budget constraints and integration hurdles. Many teachers might struggle to find time for training on new technologies and instead stick to familiar teaching methods. Across industries, a major barrier to AI adoption is skepticism about its reliability and the risk of improper use. Additionally, implementing AI requires significant investment and integration time.
What Tech Companies Can Do
Despite the myriad ways in which AI can enhance and strengthen education, without the time and resources, we’re unlikely to see the full embrace of AI in public school settings soon. But there are ways to encourage curiosity and push the needle in the right direction.
And with the future of tech in dire need of knowledgeable and talented employees—those who have grown up amid groundbreaking technological advances—companies need to get involved.
Paid internships are one of the best ways to recruit new talent. And, by investing in internships that focus on emerging technology and AI, you are also building a workforce with an unprecedented shorthand in cutting-edge technology.
Additionally, tech companies should engage at the local level and create events and panels for educators to discuss how they can effectively integrate AI into their classrooms. Consider partnering with universities or school districts to develop AI training programs that provide budget-friendly exercises for various grade levels.
Alternatively, leaders can consider joining the chorus of school administrators and policymakers who push for more technology resources in classrooms.
The integration of AI agents into our education system isn’t about replacing teachers or administrators; it’s about augmenting their capabilities and enhancing the learning experience. With AI as an ally and our passionate involvement, we can create a more equitable, efficient and inspiring educational landscape, preparing students not only for today’s workforce but also for the challenges of tomorrow. I believe the era of AI teacher agents is not the future—it’s now. Let’s embrace it.
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