It’s humans – not machines – that make the future of AI in education so exciting
Will artificial intelligence transform education? Undoubtedly. But this isn’t about machines taking over, it’s about humans rising.
Over the past few decades our learning technology has favoured one directional flow of content and standardised assessments. In mirroring this pattern, we created a system that has made our jobs susceptible to automation and has led to a lot of disengaged educators and learners.
The introduction of new technologies like AI, spatial computing and extended reality (XR) is creating an opportunity to merge human intellect and technology in a way that will make learning feel like a natural extension of ourselves – where AI and XR understand and respond to our gestures, gaze, voice and natural language, giving us the opportunity to create a more intuitive and adaptable model.
Educational institutions have an unprecedented advantage to turn their data into verified systems that can then be used to create AI-driven assistants and simulations. These large learning models are dynamic knowledge databases – containers you can add to and train in exchange for more personalised outputs – which can then be connected to industry and culture to create the first scalable model for lifelong learning.
And these technologies aren’t just new gateways to knowledge, they are the keys to unlocking curiosity, creativity and connection at scale. The future of learning will be almost invisible, ubiquitous and much more human.
New technologies create opportunities to make learning a natural extension of ourselves"
At the IDEA Lab we are building, testing and iterating these AI-driven pathways to create AI-driven assistants and simulations for our courses. In parallel, we are working with immersive technologies for learning in simulated environments. These simulations allow us to scale the human side of learning, where future leaders can develop the skills for crucial conversations, negotiations, problem solving and innovation.
The transformative potential of AI and immersive technologies in education is grounded in robust evidence and practice. For instance, while traditional lectures often lead to modest retention rates, learning in immersive environments can dramatically increase engagement and retention, with students retaining up to 75 per cent of the learning, according to findings from the National Laboratory. Companies are also pioneering this frontier, with aerospace firms creating digital twins and AI avatar instructors for enhanced pilot training, and nursing programs employing role-play simulations to cultivate empathy in patient care. The potential for immersive and interactive learning is limitless. As technology evolves, so too will our ability to create more engaging and effective learning experiences, leading us to a world where education becomes engaging, adaptable and personalised.
But it won’t happen without deep change. Historically, building products was similar to a mathematical function machine, where inputs were turned into predictable outputs because we programmed the product to behave that way. Building solutions with AI is more like scientific discovery, where we aren’t always sure of the outputs we will get. It calls for adaptability, curiosity and the assembly of cross-disciplinary teams dedicated to innovation.
As we step into this new era, it’s crucial to remember that technology is just a tool. Its impact – whether positive or negative – will depend on how we choose to use it. We need to build this future with wisdom, empathy and responsibility. The true measure of our success will be how well we enhance the human experience and foster a culture of lifelong learning.
Monica Arés is the Executive Director of the Imperial Innovation, Digital Education & Analytics (IDEA) Lab. Interview by Megan Welford.