Discussion: You have probably collaborated with Siri, one of the first generation of Personal Assistants, or one of her many siblings, or possibly you’ve seen the film “Her”. These software agents will ostensibly know enough about you, and be tirelessly connected and competent enough regarding all things digital, to be your concierge, research assistant, tutor, etc. They are not limited to a mobile existence, but that is where they will shine, brilliantly in your service, at your hand, whenever you need them. The latest generation of AI-driven personal agents make the original Siri seem impotent.
523 Inspiration: Imagine the world for learners when Siri grows up. It will be very soon.
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This post is of great interest because Siri and other personal assistants are becoming more involved in our daily lives. We use them to manage schedules, smart home devices, and answer quick questions. Copilot, Google AI, and other chat software respond directly to users and can use personal information to give more relevant answers.
That is why learners are interacting with AI more frequently than before. They can ask AI to explain a difficult concept step by step and sometimes feel more comfortable asking AI than a teacher. For many learners, asking AI feels less intimidating than raising a hand in class. While this encourages self-directed learning, it can also lead students to rely more on algorithms and less on human connection and trust.
The convenience of AI is undeniable. Answers are one click away, even easier than Google Search or watching an educational video. However, this also raises concerns about deep learning. When students rely on one- or two-sentence answers, they may settle for surface-level knowledge instead of developing the deep understanding and critical thinking needed for true learning.
I question for future personal assistants – who will define the standard and importance of learning than the ease of getting the answer.
This question guides the responsible use of systems.
Siri and Her Siblings, or personal assistants, stood out to me because AI assistants are becoming integrated into everyday life so quickly. This frontier matters to me because these tools could shift educators’ roles as they become more capable. Rather than simply teaching learners how to find information, educators may increasingly need to help them question, evaluate, and apply information generated with AI. This also raises important questions about how we define independent learning when learners have access to an AI assistant at any time. Preparing learners to use these tools thoughtfully may become just as important as teaching them how to use the technology itself.
My interest in this frontier is driven by the usage patterns that I see around me. AI-driven personal agents seem to be everywhere and improving at a rapid pace. This leads me to many questions about how they will change education as we know it. First off, given the environmental, privacy and plagiarism-related issues with the generation of these tools, is it ethical to allow our students to use these agents at all? How does working with an agent affect student learning? Does integrating suggestions given by an agent into your work product make it not “yours” anymore? How does this differ from asking a friend or parent for suggestions? What about those students who do not have a strong support network of people they can ask for suggestions? Change is not just knocking at the door. It is here. How will the educational system adapt?