In a recent piece for www.techforgood.net, SolarWinds Tech Evangelist Sascha Giese digs into AI's role in supporting teachers in the classroom.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved, presenting numerous opportunities to enhance organizational operations. However, the UK is grappling with a significant AI skills shortage, making it challenging for professionals and organizations to keep up with the fast-paced technological advancements. According to a 2024 Salesforce survey, 60% of public sector IT professionals cited the lack of AI skills as their primary obstacle to progression.
Despite these hurdles, AI could be a game-changer for the public sector, says Sascha, if trust is built into the process. Various government departments and the NHS are already utilizing AI to improve efficiencies. The education sector is also exploring AI to reduce teachers' workloads, which has led to strikes due to excessive working hours and poor well-being. A recent government initiative aims to equip teachers with AI tools for lesson planning and homework marking, potentially easing their burdens.
Trust, however, remains a critical issue. Research indicates that while schools are trusted to make decisions about AI, tech companies are not. Public skepticism stems from concerns about fairness, privacy, and the opaque nature of AI algorithms. To address these concerns, a comprehensive observability strategy is essential, ensuring transparency and accountability in AI systems.
Unsurprisingly, data privacy is also a top concern for parents and teachers. Implementing robust data encryption, stringent access controls, and comprehensive vulnerability assessments can help safeguard sensitive information. Building trust gradually and maintaining open communication about AI's capabilities and limitations are crucial for successful implementation.
"Trust is fundamental to successfully implementing AI, whether in a classroom or in the workplace. And achieving accountability in AI requires embedding it deeply within the system through a comprehensive observability strategy. This approach allows IT professionals to monitor and understand a system based on the data it generates."
