The Role of EdTech Startups in Driving AI-Led Innovation and Disruption in the

The 24thof January every year is celebrated as the International Education Day ndash to acknowledge the power of education and its ability to transform societies and create positive change in the world Education provides salvation from ignorance oppression and poverty giving equal opportunities to those who seek it Education is not only a tool for equal opportunity but also a tool to emancipate conservative thoughts and beliefs And education in the 21st century has witnessed a sea change From blackboards to digital handhelds ndash the tech has come in to ease and ameliorate pedagogy and learningAnd as we continue to advance in technology it is exciting to see EdTech taking in newer shapes and turns in driving disruption in the education sector everydayEducation has three key pillars One is indepth and exciting Content which not only enhance knowledge but will also provide enough fuel to excite the inquisitive minds Second is the Teacher whowhich enables this enriching content to be comprehended by students And finally the mode of Assessing learning which could be in form of exams or projects which assess not only the comprehension but is also a way to assess and make aware of individual capabilities and preferencesTeachers being the sole source of information at one time ndash now the digital teacher aka the internet is a swipe away Students who needed books and guides now can study online from different teachers All they need is mobile phone and internet connectivity Yes the changes were made possible through the startups working to fill the shortcomings of the conventional education systemBut the pandemic surely accelerated their surge Tech to teach better to analyse student performance measure true learning over just exam readiness ndash there was a whole new shot in the arm to this industry Players like WhiteHat Unacademy and Byju saw unprecedented growth numbersRise of EdTech startupIndian EdTech startups raised 47 billion in 2021 up from 22 billion in 2020 This made edtech space the third most funded Indian startup category after ecommerce at 107 billion and fintech at 8 billion After the success in the initial phase during Covid things started to turn for the worse for these startups with the mass laying off of employees due to lack of funding and higher customer acquisitionBut what they brought in stayed The power of AI to create personalised learning experiences for students made education more accessible and engaging AIpowered educational tools could analyse student data to create customised learning plans and provide realtime feedback allowing students to learn at their own pace and in their own way This personalised approach to education is now the new crucial as every studentrsquos unique strengths weaknesses and learning styles came to the foreFurthermore the tech players also brought in Artificial intelligence to improve student outcomes by identifying learning gaps and providing targeted interventions This helps teachers to personalise their teaching and provide more effective support to students By identifying areas where students are struggling teachers can now provide additional resources and support to help students overcome those challenges and succeedBenefits of AI in EducationGlobal elearning platforms like Coursera are integrating chat GPT into their courses offered on platforms like Python Java Script etc According to Shravan Goli COO of Coursera ldquoto remain competitive in the market there is a need to leverage AIrdquoWe atShinkanhave for the last so many months tried to push through the basic understanding that the examination process at every level need to be secure and credible It needs to be equipped with proctoring tools that help strengthen the capability of the assessor True and honest exams are not only beneficial to the assessor but also to the assessee The use of AI in education has also made it possible to bring education to underserved communities both locally and globally With the rise of online learning platforms and AIpowered educational tools students in remote areas can access highquality education and learning resources that were once only available to those in urban centers This has the potential to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for all students regardless of their location or socioeconomic statusAnother area where EdTech is driving AIled innovation and disruption is in the field of language learning AIpowered language learning platforms can provide personalised feedback to students helping them to improve their pronunciation grammar and vocabulary This is especially helpful for students learning a new language in a nonimmersive environment as they may not have access to native speakers or language immersion programsAI is also being used to create more immersive learning experiences for students Virtual and augmented reality technologies allow students to explore complex concepts and ideas more engagingly and interactively This not only makes learning more fun and engaging but also helps students to retain information more effectivelyYes the pandemic served as a terrible bane but it is also have a boon to it With many schools and universities closed or operating at reduced capacity the use of AIpowered educational tools and online learning platforms now becomes an essential yet consistent backup to ensure that learning continues Tech can help to provide personalised support to students even in a virtual setting and ensure that no student is left behindChallenges and Disruption in education sectorAI made our life easier but the real problem lies in its use The manner in which students will be using According to Forbes AI in the education industry is going to create disruption A survey conducted in USA on 1000 college students revealed that nearly onethird have used AI tools to complete their home assessmentsThe reliance is going to increase in future with students copy pasting work and leaving the most important aspect which is learning One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the technology is used responsibly and ethically There is a risk that AIpowered educational tools could perpetuate biases or reinforce stereotypes particularly if they are not designed with diversity and inclusion in mindAnother challenge is ensuring that teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to use AIpowered educational tools effectively While these tools have the potential to transform education they are only effective if teachers know how to use them properly and can integrate them into their teaching practicesIn conclusion the role of EdTech startups in driving AIled innovation and disruption in the education sector is crucial AIpowered educational tools have the potential to transform education and create more personalised and engaging learning experiences for students They can also help to bring education to underserved communities and improve student outcomes However its important to ensure that the technology is used ethically and responsibly and that teachers are equipped with the skills necessary to use it effectivelyAs Nelson Mandela said ldquoEducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the worldrdquo And unless applied right its effect would not be as pronounced and hence the responsibility is on us for this oneAuthored Abhijit Saxena Cofounder Shinkan