Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in the Future Education

摘要

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the branch of Computer Science that focuses on the theory and practice of creating “smart” devices mimicking human reasoning and behavior. The introduction of the techniques of AI to Education has brought significant benefits to the teaching and learning, to student and teacher assessment and training and to several other educational processes. The present paper focuses on the role that AI and the digital technologies play for Education in the forthcoming era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which, under normal conditions, is expected to lead humanity to an era of nearly free energy, goods and services. Thepaper discusses the benefits and limitations of the introduction of techniques of AI in Education. Namely, the role of computers isinvestigated and the expediency of teaching principles of Soft Computingin Education is studied. The advantages and disadvantages of e-learningwith respect to the traditional learning theories and teaching methods are examined, with a special focus on connectivism, a new learning theory in the digital era. The possible role of social robots and the new role of the teacher in future education are also studied and the paper closes with the final conclusions.