More than 50 per cent of jobs in educational institutions, including those in the UAE, are expected to undergo automation, thanks to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) with generative capabilities.\
The Role of GPT-4
Traditional AI in education and workforce training automated approximately 15 percent of job tasks. However, the introduction of GPT-4 has significantly increased this figure, paving the way for more than half of educator job tasks to be automated to varying degrees.
The Changing Landscape of Education
Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda emphasised the transformative power of AI in education during the launch of Coursera’s new AI features and products. These innovations are set to revolutionise higher education, vocational education, and K-12 schooling.
Personalized Learning and Administrative Efficiency
AI is poised to revolutionise education by analysing individual student learning patterns and tailoring learning materials to their specific needs and pace. Additionally, administrative tasks such as grading, scheduling, and resource allocation can be automated, allowing educators to focus more on teaching.
Bridging the Digital Skill Gap
With more than 4,000 courses translated into Arabic using AI, learners in the UAE now have access to top-quality education from educators worldwide. This initiative aims to equip learners with the skills needed for the digital era, supporting the country’s economic growth as the national digital economy is projected to increase by US$140 billion by 2031.
Popular Courses and Accessibility
Some of the most popular courses in the UAE include topics like deep teaching solutions, data analytics, and negotiation strategies. These courses offer a wide range of materials, assessments, and discussions in the local language, enhancing accessibility.
Expanding Access and Partnerships
Coursera is expanding access to its translated content, initially targeting Coursera for Business, Campus, and government customers before reaching all learners in the coming months. Additionally, Coursera has partnered with the UAE Ministry of Education to integrate ACE-accredited courses into university curricula.
Diverse Learners and Mobile Learning
The typical age of learners in the UAE is around 34 years, with a nearly equal distribution of men and women. Furthermore, 43 per cent of Coursera learners use mobile devices for their learning, reflecting the platform’s adaptability to diverse learner needs.
Empowering Dubai Police
Coursera has collaborated with the Dubai Police to create job-relevant learning pathways for leaders, managers, and executives. These pathways encompass soft skills, crisis management, cybersecurity, and data-related skills. The partnership has already witnessed significant course enrolments and plans to expand into the ‘Grow with Google’ scholarships for the force and their families.
Looking Ahead – Career Academy and Professional Training
In the next phase of the partnership, Dubai Police and Coursera are set to integrate Career Academy, offering online training for professional and technical careers, furthering their commitment to lifelong learning and skill development.
The growing influence of AI in education, coupled with the commitment of organisations like Coursera and the UAE Ministry of Education, is reshaping the learning landscape in the UAE, empowering learners and preparing them for the challenges of the digital age.
