AI in Education: A Fresh Perspective on Transformative Potential

By Dr. Rolly Alfonso-Maiquez, Director of Educational Technology & Innovation and Data Protection Officer, VERSO International School

Dr. Rolly Alfonso-Maiquez is Director of Educational Technology & Innovation and DPO at VERSO International School in Greater Bangkok, Thailand. An Apple Distinguished Educator with a Doctorate in Education, he champions robotics and artificial intelligence integration in learning — leveraging AI to enhance leadership effectiveness and streamline school accreditation processes.

Transformative AI Applications in Education

During a recent summer holiday, I ventured outside of traditional routine tourism by creating my own "expert tourist guide GPT" using OpenAI's technology. Through careful and iterative nuanced prompting and fact-checking, I developed AI-curated walking tours that led me to discover hidden gems such as Melk in Austria, Esztergom and Kiskunfélegyháza in Hungary and Trenčín in Slovakia. These AI-guided adventures revealed cultural narratives I might have missed had I chosen to follow usual touristy routes. This experience inspired me to think differently about AI's possibilities in the world of education.

While myriad online discussions and webinars often center on AI's obvious applications such as automated assessments and adaptive learning, my travel experiences highlighted its potential to uncover deeper, transformative possibilities. Following are eight key areas where I believe AI is positioned to revolutionize education:

1. Evolution of Creativity

At VERSO International School, our "IM-PERMANENCE" art exhibition demonstrated AI's impact on creativity. In the project, our high school students collaborated with AI to create mixed media artworks exploring philosophical concepts through descriptive phenomenological deep dives. This unconventional project challenged traditional notions of creativity, showing how AI can serve as both a tool and creative partner. Students learned to navigate a new creative landscape where human imagination and machine capabilities intertwined, leading to innovative expressions that may not have been possible through traditional media alone.

2. Enhancing Student Success

AI is revolutionizing student support through comprehensive monitoring and intervention systems that catch struggling students before they fall through the cracks. These systems identify patterns in academic performance, attendance and engagement that might signal various challenges - from learning difficulties and neurodiversity to social-emotional needs. Unlike traditional support systems that rely on formal diagnosis, AI may be designed to detect subtle indicators across multiple domains, tracking changes in writing patterns that might indicate emotional stress, analyzing social interactions that suggest developing anxiety, or identifying specific learning challenges. This proactive approach enables targeted support before issues develop further, creating a more inclusive environment for all students.

3. Redefining Academic Integrity

As AI writing tools become more sophisticated, the line between assistance and cheating gets blurry. This evolution requires shifting from content memorization to critical thinking and practical knowledge application. Schools should develop new frameworks for academic integrity that acknowledge AI's role while maintaining high standards for original thinking, teaching students to use AI responsibly and understand the difference between enhancement and dependence.

“As we navigate these transformative areas, we will need to be attentive and present in guiding AI integration thoughtfully and ethically, keeping learner well-being on high focus.”

4. Classroom Transformation

AI-powered feedback systems are reshaping student-teacher relationships. Imagine classrooms where AI teaching assistants facilitate small group discussions while teachers provide targeted individual attention. These AI co-teachers enable global classroom connections, allowing students from different continents to collaborate with real-time translation and cultural context support, creating personalized learning experiences while maintaining meaningful human interactions.

5. Cultural Bridge-Building

AI translation and cultural adaptation tools break down barriers in global education by providing real-time cultural context and mediating cross-cultural misunderstandings. AI systems explain cultural nuances, historical context and social customs, making international collaboration meaningful and effective. This enables truly global classroom experiences where geographical and cultural distances become opportunities for deeper learning.

6. Managing AI Dependency

As AI integration deepens, schools will need to implement strategies to prevent over-reliance through robust policies and literacy programs. Approaches may include "AI-free zones" and regular "AI detox" periods where students engage in traditional problem-solving exercises. Alternating between AI-assisted and independent work helps develop stronger critical thinking skills and maintains effectiveness with or without technological support.

7. Revolutionizing School Accreditation

Current accreditation bodies such as ACS-WASC, CIS and NEASC typically evaluate schools through periodic visits and extensive preparation cycles. AI presents an opportunity to transform this into a continuous, real-time process through constant data monitoring. Schools can maintain permanent connections with accreditation standards through live data feeds, automatically tracking progress toward educational goals and compliance requirements. This provides immediate feedback on areas needing improvement, allowing rapid adjustments rather than waiting years for formal reviews.

8. Dynamic Curriculum Design

AI-driven curriculum design enables real-time adaptation to emerging trends and market demands. By analyzing educational datasets, employment trends and technological developments, AI can help create relevant, future-focused curricula while ensuring development of core competencies. These systems identify skills gaps between current offerings and market needs, suggesting adjustments that prepare students for emerging opportunities. However, maintaining human values and ethical considerations remains essential, requiring careful oversight from experienced educators.

These insights were developed from reflecting on my use of AI in my holiday travels. Through my own use of AI in my day-to-day work, I've learned that AI works best as a collaborative tool that amplifies rather than replaces human capabilities. As we navigate these transformative areas, we will need to be attentive and present in guiding AI integration thoughtfully and ethically, keeping learner well-being on high focus. Success requires moving beyond implementing AI merely for innovation's sake, focusing instead on creating meaningful educational experiences that prepare students for a future where human creativity and AI capabilities work hand in hand.

Artificial Intelligence

Robotics

Educational Technology