RE: YOUR ACTION NEEDED:Exploring the Applications of Generative AI Tools in Education in Kenya Survey 2023

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Fred Sagwe

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Sep 19, 2023, 8:13:18 PM9/19/23
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Dear Sir/Madam,

“The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone,” he wrote. ”It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care, and communicate with each other.”

Bill Gate — Co-founder of Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation


The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) survey Explores Applications of Generative AI Tools in Education. Kenya, with its young, educated, English-speaking workforce and Silicon Savannah ICT hub, is a prime market for generative AI tools in education.

Generative AI tools are computer programs that can create new text, images, or sounds. Examples of generative AI tools include ChatGPT, which is based on a new model of artificial intelligence that mimics the human brain and can learn from itself, unlike human-trained AI such as our personal assistants and YouTube algorithms.

ChatGPT is one of the biggest technology revelations of recent  times. Its use cases are seemingly endless. From students and high school teachers to programmers and writers, everyone is finding a good use for ChatGPT.

According to UNESCO, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education today, innovate teaching and learning practices, and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Predictions suggest that by the time current kindergartners graduate from high school, AI will be a billion times smarter than humans. This underscores the importance of integrating AI into education from an early age, to prepare students for a future where AI will play a significant role in all aspects of society. Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly changing the world, and it is essential that our students are prepared for these changes. The sector perhaps most at risk of disruption is education. Unlike other technological game changers, which have accompanied human cognition over time — the telegraph, the telephone, and basic computing power — AI does not just accompany us; it could modify present and future generations’ cognition. This is because human socialization and organic, human pedagogies are being replaced with artificial tutors and automated feedback loops that could change the development of our neurocircuitry.

Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize education by making learning more personalized, engaging, and effective. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as generating personalized learning materials, creating interactive simulations, assessing student learning, and providing students with access to experts from around the world. Additionally, generative AI can assist teachers and educators in creating customized educational content, such as quizzes, assignments, and adaptive lesson plans, freeing them up to focus on more important things. Many schools have already started formulating policies regarding AI use, and distributing them to parents and guardians. It's important that you become familiar with your child's school's policies around the use of AI, writing tools, and other academic tools.

Examples of Generative AI Tools:

  • ChatGPT
  • Bing Chat
  • Bard
  • GPT-4
  • Claude
  • DALL-E2
  • Stable Diffusion 
  • Chatsonic
  • Codex
  • Synthesia
  • Amper
  • And many more.

According to TED AI, artificial intelligence (AI) can superpower teachingAt Khan Academy, AI is being used to provide clear, actionable answers to students and improve their writing skills through collaborative exercises, among other new features.

Teacher support: This technology could serve as a comprehensive teaching assistant, equipping teachers with comprehensive resources, lessons plans and progress reports.

Solve the scale problem: AI can provide one-to-one tutoring to anyone who wants it - a once -impossible dream - and potentially achieve the significant improvements  that can be gained with personalized instruction. 

One of the biggest challenges in using AI in education is ensuring that it is used ethically and without bias. AI systems are trained on data, and if that data is biased, the AI system will be biased as well. This could lead to students from certain groups being unfairly disadvantaged.

Another challenge is protecting student privacy. AI systems collect a lot of data about students, and it is important to ensure that this data is used responsibly and that students' privacy is protected.

AI offers a number of opportunities to improve education. For example, AI can be used to personalize learning for each student, provide feedback on student work, and automate tasks such as grading and lesson planning. This can free up teachers to focus on more important tasks such as building relationships with students and providing individualized support.

AI can also be used to make education more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities and those who live in remote areas. For example, AI can be used to provide real-time translation services for students who are learning English or another language, and it can be used to develop educational resources that are tailored to the needs of students with different learning styles.

It is important to be aware of the ethical concerns associated with using AI in education. For example, we need to make sure that AI is used in a way that respects students' privacy and autonomy. We also need to make sure that AI is used to promote equity and inclusion in education.

AI is a powerful tool that can be used to improve education in many ways. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges and ethical concerns associated with using AI in education.


Artificial intelligence is pretty much just what it sounds like—the practice of getting machines to mimic human intelligence to perform tasks. You’ve probably interacted with AI even if you don’t realize it—voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa are founded on AI technology, as are customer service chatbots that pop up to help you navigate websites. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a collection of general-purpose tools, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and generative AI. These tools can be used for many different tasks, just like electricity, computers, smartphones and the internet.

AI is the use of technology to simulate human intelligence, either in computer programs or robotics. It is a field in computer science that aims to build systems that can perform human tasks.

About Us

The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) is a registered non-profit organization (R.54783) based  in Kenya. With a mission to promote computing in institutions and communities through robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), physical computing, makerspace, Internet of Things (IoT), STEAM, chess education, and research. We aim to engage with a community of passionate educators, volunteers, partners, and sponsors who bring the benefits of technology to schools, classrooms, and communities in Kenya and beyond. See our stories page for more information about the Society's work in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI),research and chess.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, a leading Kenyan newspaper, on "How Africa is getting ready for the impending age of robotics," the Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) reaffirmed the importance of introducing AI and robotics learning to school-going children early in their learning life.Policy makers have recognised that it's important to introduce STEM and coding concepts in early childhood,because research proves that starting children young with STEM has the greatest impact on their success in STEM education and their interest in STEM careers.

A 2020 study by the University of California, Berkeley found that children who are exposed to coding in early childhood are better at problem-solving and logical thinking than children who are not exposed to coding.

RSK called on the Ministry of Education in Kenya to establish robotics clubs in schools and institutions, arguing that robotics can provide students with the opportunity to learn about these technologies in a fun and engaging way.

RSK's flagship project, Solar-Powered Computer Lab in Shipping Container for Kenyan Learners, aims to make computing accessible to school learners in Kenya, where most schools have no computers at all and may lack electricity. The project aims to create a facility that can be reproduced all over Kenya, powered by solar energy where main electricity isn't available. The flagship project, the Solar-Powered Computer Lab in a Shipping Container, aims to address the pressing problem of limited access to quality education, computers and technology for Kenyan learners, particularly in underserved areas.

This move will not only provide cost savings on electricity and power, but it also aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) was featured in the Global Teacher Prize story "Chess and Robotics: Two Worlds United." The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award presented to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession.

The story highlights the commonalities between chess and robotics, both of which require strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. In addition, both activities can help children develop important life skills such as perseverance, resilience, and teamwork.

Chess is also a useful tool for learning AI. The game can be used to teach AI concepts such as search algorithms, machine learning, and reinforcement learning.

In this way, chess is like a drosophila fly for learning AI. Drosophila flies are often used in genetic research because they are easy to breed and have a short lifespan. This makes them ideal for studying the effects of genetic changes on development and behavior.

Similarly, chess is a relatively simple game to understand, but it is complex enough to challenge even the most sophisticated AI systems. This makes it a valuable tool for learning AI concepts and developing new AI algorithms.

In a recent statement, the RSK called for the establishment of robotics clubs in schools and institutions across Kenya. The RSK believes that these clubs would provide students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, to develop their STEM skills, and to compete in robotics competitions.

The RSK's feature in the Global Teacher Prize story is a testament to the organization's important work in promoting robotics education in Kenya. The story also helps to raise awareness of the importance of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) education and the role that it can play in inspiring and engaging students in STEM subjects.

The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) was awarded a license to host a Raspberry Pi Jam Mombasa by the Raspberry Pi Foundation:  a one-day event for students, teachers, and enthusiasts of robotics and AI. The Jam will feature workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about the Raspberry Pi computer, which can be used to build robots, control devices, and learn about programming. The Jam will also feature workshops on robotics, AI, and other STEM topics such as electronics and 3D printing.

The Raspberry Pi Jam is a global event that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about robotics, AI, and STEM education. The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized computer that can be used to make electronic projects, learn programming, and play games.

The Raspberry Pi Jam is a great opportunity for people of all ages and experience levels to learn about robotics, AI, and STEM education. The event is free and open to the public.

The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) has introduced a bill to the Kenya National Assembly and the Senate to establish the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society (KRAS), a non-profit organization responsible for promoting and developing the field of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in Kenya. KRAS will also serve as a professional body platform for robotics and AI practitioners.

The bill is an important step in the development of robotics and AI in Kenya. It provides a legal framework for the establishment and operation of KRAS, and it gives the Society the powers and resources it needs to promote and develop this important field.

This survey is open to all educators, students, parents, policy-makers, and other major stakeholders in Kenya. Your feedback is crucial for our research on the potential of Generative AI to be used to enhance learning outcomes. Your input will contribute to the development of a research report by the Robotics Society of Kenya. This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. 

NB:

Link to the The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) survey to explore the applications of generative AI tools in education in Kenya: https://forms.gle/24EEXSw9H4iR7rgR9  (Up to 15 min, no previous information needed)

Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) requests your participation in this assessment.You are encouraged to share it with any of your colleagues,who are interested in  the applications of generative AI tools in education in Kenya.Please share this survey with your local,regional,county and global offices,and their local implementing partners.

This survey will remain open until November 30,2023.

What’s the plan? 

  • We will share the findings of the Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK)  Exploring the Applications of Generative AI Tools in Education in Kenya Survey 2023.  in December 2023. 

I have a question, who do I ask? 

The Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) Team is happy to answer any questions you have – please email roboticssoc...@gmail.com  with any questions you may have. 


“All citizens need to be equipped with some level of competency with regard to AI. This includes the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to be ‘AI literate’ - this has become a basic grammar of our century,” 
-Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO during her opening speech at the 2021 International Forum on AI and Education.


Sincerely,

Fred Sagwe Co-founder & CEO, Robotics Society of Kenya 

Classroom Teacher, Shimo La Tewa School

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