Understanding AI: An LXD Perspective
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Last year I attended the Empowering Learners in AI conference where the amazing Chris Dede explained how we need to understand the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligence Augmentation (IA) and how these can work together to achieve better outcomes.
To understand these concepts a bit more he provided the example of an oncologist who might use an AI program to scan thousands of online journal articles pertaining to a particular patient and their ailment. They then use their human intelligence to inform their recommendations. In doing so, they consider many factors including personal and cultural beliefs, family circumstances, and quality versus quantity of life expectancy to advise the patient. This is the oncologists' judgement skills, this is something that AI doesn't do.
AI versus IA: Why is this important?
If we take the oncology analogy and apply it to LX Design; AI can be applied in many ways using the ever-growing number of tools that uses this underpinning technology. If we take ChatGPT, the newest kid on the block, let's look at how it can help you as an LX designer. Some ways in which it can assist you are:
Creating personas;
Idea generation for topics;
Unit outlines;
Content creation; and
Learning activity prompts.
Whilst this sounds fantastic and you may already be using ChatGPT and be thinking - 'wow, what a game changer', or 'this does everything I do'; well it doesn't. It doesn't have the ability to apply those human skills Dede (2022) talks about; judgement and reckoning to:
make reasonable judgement calls based upon the context;
determine what's appropriate for your cohort, your learners;
scaffold the experience to support your cohort; and
evaluate the different technology and the ways in which they can be integrated.
What can you do as an LX Designer?
So, as an LX Designer, it is up to you to be able to understand AI, and the different tools that use the underpinning technology, including ChatGPT so you can leverage it in your role rather than think that it is going to replace you. But how do you do this? As highlighted by Dede (2022) you need to deepen your judgement and reckoning skills and provide these opportunities for learners. As an LX Designer, there are three things you can start or continue doing to support yourself in this process:
Explore the technology and consider ways in which it can support you;
Continue to upskill in relation to new ways of designing; and
Apply a growth mindset to how you design - be open to new ways of working, new ways of creating, and collaborating.
How is this going to impact you?
Although AI has been around for decades, the release of ChatGPT has thrust AI into the spotlight. Last month you couldn’t have a conversation without someone mentioning ChatGPT, but it is critical to recognise that it is just a tool (albeit a very powerful one). It is just as important to evaluate the technology behind it as there will be many more tools that disrupt this sector. in the future
Summary
It is up to you to keep abreast of the different technology that can assist you in your professional practice and this can be a daunting process. So, in the next series of posts, I am going to explore AI, what it is and how it changes LX Design; the challenges and considerations of AI; and how to get started using AI in your LXD practice.
References:
Dede. (2022). Keynote: Chris Dede ELAI2022 Conference. [Video]. YouTube. Keynote: Chris Dede ELAI2022 Conference
