Camilla Swift Camilla Swift

Rise of the machines

The British government is embracing technology in transport and industry, so why not in education?

‘There is a profound mismatch between the way we are educating our young and the world we’re educating them for, and what should, and could, be happening.’ So says Sir Anthony Seldon, former headmaster of Wellington College and vice-chancellor of Buckingham University. Seldon is well known for promoting novel ideas when it comes to education. During his time at Wellington he was often in the limelight for his original style of thinking, or ‘visions for education’ as he puts it; for example, his decision to introduce mindfulness into the curriculum there.

Seldon isn’t just a teacher, though. He’s also a historian and a political biographer, as well as being a regular on TV and radio, discussing education. His latest topic is Artificial Intelligence — and as his wont, he has written a book all about it, The Fourth Education Revolution. But this isn’t about how robots will create widespread unemployment, or driverless cars, or drones. No, Seldon’s claim is that AI could transform schools, enabling education to be personalised to each pupil, removing the need for exams and allowing every child in the country, whether they’re at a top public school or an almost failing state, access to the same technology. It will be technology that is driving the teaching.

One problem, says Seldon, is that while the British government is embracing AI in many areas — transport, industry and so on — the same doesn’t apply to our education system. ‘The government doesn’t realise it is way behind when it comes to AI in education, and that’s part of the problem,’ he says. ‘AI is the Cinderella subject, for the government and for educationalists in general. They are still locked in the 20th-century mindset without even realising that they are. What needs changing is the mindset.’ That isn’t necessarily because those in charge of the education system are blinkered.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in