Dr. Joleen Liang challenges education norms at Cambridge AI conference

On December 15, 2024, an influential conference focusing on artificial intelligence in education took place in Cambridge, UK. Co-organized by leading academic institutions such as the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge and the College of Education for the Future at Beijing Normal University, the Cambridge Generative AI in Education Conference gathered prominent thought leaders, researchers, and policymakers from around the globe. Attendees discussed the various opportunities and challenges that AI presents within the educational landscape. During the event, a panel discussion entitled "AI in Education: Friend or Foe" featured experts like Dr. Ann Kristin Glenster, Prof. Jenny Gibson, and Dr. Joleen Liang, among others. These experts exchanged views on how to harness AI effectively in classrooms, weighing its potential benefits against its drawbacks. Dr. Liang emphasized the importance of prioritizing educational needs in AI implementation rather than fixating solely on technological advancements. Dr. Liang, co-founder of Squirrel Ai Learning, presented a keynote speech titled "Revolutionizing Personalized Learning through AI," where she shared insights from her organization’s research. Squirrel Ai has invested significantly in developing an adaptive learning system, which it claims is the first of its kind that integrates multimodal technology in the education sector. The company has amassed an impressive dataset of over 10 billion student learning behaviors, which aids in the continuous refinement of their AI-driven educational tools. While the conference highlighted the positive aspects of implementing AI in education, it also acknowledged the challenges ahead. Prof. Yuan Li pointed out the necessity of improving teachers' abilities to utilize AI technologies effectively. The consensus was that while AI helps bring improvements in teaching strategies and student engagement, there is a need for clear guidelines and frameworks to ensure its responsible application. With substantial investment in research and ongoing development of its adaptive technologies, Squirrel Ai aims to lead advancements in personalized learning, impacting educational methodologies for years to come.