Think 20 recommends Artificial Intelligence based learning solutions are adopted to tackle current educational challenges

Founded in 2012, the Think 20 (T20) was established as a group to cooperate with think tanks in the region and to provide recommendations to the G20 leaders.  As part of the group’s work, Task force 6 (TF6) have identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) based learning solutions as the recommended strategy for tackling current educational challenges and also preparing students for the workplace.  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have predicted that the global unemployment rate could reach 9.4% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group have also identified that the skills of employed workers will need to evolve to remain competitive in the future.  The increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence based learning solutions and also the use of AI in industry form a major backdrop to the proposed recommendations:

• Training providers and institutions should offer micro-credentials
• Governments should fund workplace training
• The adoption of AI based learning solutions to support learning rather than replacing teachers
• Promotion of technical and vocational education training (TVET)

“ Adapting in a society where human proximity is dangerous but where social interaction is still the preferred method of training and learning is a universal challenge. However, each country must work to identify and implement a solution that works for them, or they risk economic suffering in the long term. Whether skills are taught directly, funded by the government, or indirectly funded by the sectors themselves, will vary. For many, a blended approach is likely the way forward” Paul Grainger, Co-Director, Centre for Educations and Work; Enterprise Lead for the Department of Education, Practice and Society at UCL Institute of Education

The group also identified the following industries which it predicts will experience the highest growth in unemployment: food, accommodation, retail, manufacturing and business administration.  A blended approach to AI has been suggested which would involve a mixture of human interaction and AI based learning solutions.  This is encouraged over more passive approaches, such as program-based learning, which are cheaper, though considered to be less effective in the long term.

“ COVID-19 has accelerated those issues that were already prevalent, revealing the varying skill gaps across all generations. The older, missing generation of over 35’s would traditionally gain skills in one speciality area, with many people remaining on the same career path for life. It is this generation that must develop the agility to diversify their knowledge base and embrace data analysis if we are to ensure no-one is left behind. ” Heidi Alaskary, Senior Research Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies

More information on Think 20 including its members can be accessed here: https://t20saudiarabia.org.sa/en/About/Pages/whats.aspx