AI in Education: Bridging the Divide or Widening the Gap? Exploring Equity, Opportunities, and Challenges in the Digital Age
Haomin Li
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a pivotal technological advancement with profound societal implications. This paper delves into a comprehensive analysis of diverse articles and perspectives to scrutinize AI's influence on educational inequality, particularly within the context of the Chinese education system. While prevailing literature often skims the surface, there's a burgeoning sentiment celebrating the human-AI synergy, often overlooking its potential to accentuate educational disparities. This research delves deeper, uncovering the intricate nexus between AI-driven education and human capital markets. The findings suggest that AI, while promising, might inadvertently perpetuate the same crises across different demographics, amplifying existing inequalities. The strong may become stronger, while the vulnerable risk further marginalization, primarily due to disparities in resource allocation. To mitigate these challenges, this paper proposes three actionable recommendations. Furthermore, recognizing the global implications of this issue, the study advocates for international collaboration to ensure equitable access to AI-related educational resources, championing the cause of educational fairness worldwide.