Academic Education in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This paper provides a technical review of the Generative AI technology and its challenges and opportunities in the education sector.  Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), presented in some tools such as ChatGPT, has been continuously penetrating our normal lives. It has also attracted several research efforts, from both academia and industry researchers, to solve real-world problems in different applications such as finance and health. Generative AI is indeed a type of Artificial Intelligence that can efficiently "create" a wide variety of information in the form of images, videos, audio, text, and 3D models. Therefore, they can facilitate data analysis and visualization, and enhance personalized and adaptive learning in the education sector. Although instructors and teachers will not be substituted by Generative AI robots completely, education and academic delivery of courses are expected to experience a revolution in the presence of GAI.  Similar to other new technologies, serious potential challenges and opportunities are expected in employing GAI in the education sector.