Abstract:

This presentation is based on a book chapter by the authors that examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Distance Education (DE) might be groundbreaking tools for lifelong learning. Dynamic, technologically enabled education transcending age, location, and time is replacing traditional classrooms. This talk will present the transition from a fixed curriculum to adaptable learning experiences, highlighting education as a dynamic process rather than a fixed endpoint.

The application of technology, especially AI and DE, to lifelong learning is starting to break free from routine chores and rote memory constraints. It allows people to choose how they want to pursue their education, encouraging self-directed learning that aligns with their interests. In addition to redefining education, integrating AI and DE promotes intercultural understanding, global connectedness, and teamwork.

DE increases learning opportunities for people of all ages and ethnicities. This inclusivity ensures that geography, financial standing, or physical disabilities do not impede access to educational resources [1]. Given the increasing usage of digital technologies and the Internet as the main communication channels, DE has the potential to provide equitable access to education. This has increased the versatility of educational options and increased DE's reach.

Employers will stand out in the labour market because they have cutting-edge AI technologies, and their staff know how to use them. The significance of human decision-making increases with the growing use of information-rich instruments. As such, ongoing education becomes crucial for executives, managers, and staff members [2]. Within this framework, conventional classroom instruction is seen as unsuitable for the future educational landscape. Instead, the emphasis switches to improving skills and gaining experience with real-world AI applications. This shift necessitates a concerted effort to develop learning behaviour models and allot resources toward improving AI-infused learning approaches.

Education today transcends physical boundaries and embraces technology as a critical enabler of lifetime learning opportunities, no longer being limited to traditional classroom settings. Though core knowledge and skills are currently taught in schools, learning and adaptability are just as important as knowledge regarding education.

To effectively adopt this paradigm change, educators and policymakers need to see beyond the walls of traditional education and acknowledge the long-lasting influence that schools have on forming attitudes toward lifelong learning. Schools can build flexible learning environments that meet a range of schedules and commitments, particularly those of adult learners, by utilising technology such as AI and DE.

In my presentation, I will explore how AI and DE can support lifelong learning for instructors and students. I hope to show how these technologies may make education accessible to all, promoting a culture of continuous learning that is critical for success in the twenty-first century, by examining creative methods, success stories, and new difficulties.

References:
[1] Kara M, Erdoğdu F, Kokoç M, Cagiltay K. Challenges Faced by Adult Learners in Online Distance Education: A Literature Review. Open Prax. 2019;11(1):5.
[2] Edmondson A, Saxberg B. Putting lifelong learning on the CEO agenda. McKinsey Q. 2017;September.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence, Distance Education, Lifelong Learning.