Could Elon Musk’s AI robots save a struggling education system?

Classrooms where routine tasks are performed by a humanoid robot could soon become a reality. With 44% of K-12 teachers In the US feeling “often” or “always”, advanced artificial intelligence robots could provide the necessary support.

Here I am out!

At Tesla’s “We, Robots” event on October 10, while showcasing innovations in autonomous taxi vehicles, tech billionaire Elon Musk revealed the latest developments in the AI-powered humanoid robot Optimus. Musk made a bold proclamation: “Optimus will walk among you.” These robots, along with similar technologies, have the potential to be integrated into various aspects of everyday life, including educational settings, potentially revolutionizing the way we approach tasks and address issues such as teacher burnout.

Optimus

Optimus currently stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs about 125 pounds, and runs for up to 8 hours on a single charge. Equipped with advanced AI, machine learning and sensors such as LIDAR and computer vision, Optimus interacts smoothly in dynamic environments. Musk explained: “Everything we’ve developed for our cars – batteries, power, electronics, advanced motors, transmissions, software, the first ion computer. Everything applies to a humanoid robot… It’s the same techniques. It’s just a robot with arms and legs instead of wheels.”

Musk predicted that the Optimus would cost between $20,000 and $30,000. This could make it an affordable option for many organizations and even households. Musk announced that “Basically it will do whatever you want it to do. So it can be your teacher or babysit. It can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, to serve drinks, anything you can think of, he’ll do.’

Optimus For Education

Could Optimus change the way classes work? As a teaching assistant, she could handle tasks such as preparing materials and supervising students during activities. This could reduce the administrative burden on teachers, allowing them to engage more with students. In special education, Optimus could provide personalized instruction and physical assistance, improving the learning experience for students who need extra support.

Sounds unrealistic, right? Think again. A school I recently worked with in Sacramento, California has already secured the funds to purchase an Optimus once they go on sale. However, it’s important to note that the actual implementation of Optimus in classrooms is still theoretical at this point.

On LinkedIn this week, Donald Clark, a renowned learning expert and artificial intelligence researcher from the UK, wrote: “I can only conclude that at some point, probably sooner than we think, these robots will be commonplace. As teaching and learning is still largely one-to-many, because they should not be trained to pay more attention to individual needs They could be aware of the learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, that an individual student may have, to be sensitive to their personality. where they are in terms of competence in different subjects.” Bartlomiej Polakowski, an expert in learning technologies, replied, “Sounds so natural. Unbelievable.”

Issues such as data privacy and over-reliance on technology are important. Child development experts are concerned about these potential disadvantages. Many schools around the world are already implementing AI policies and guidelines to balance the use of technology. For example, some districts are developing frameworks for responsible use of AI, including data protection protocols and guidelines for AI-assisted instruction. Should they add an AI bot section soon?

A Vision for the Next Generation

In my keynotes to educators and businesses around the world, I regularly present the advanced capabilities of robots such as Optimus and Tesla’s Figure 02. I believe we should be prepared for many more moments in the coming months and years when we will be overwhelmed by the advanced technology it has become, just like when ChatGPT was first released. Advanced humanoid robotics will cause such a shock when they reach mainstream awareness.

These robots could significantly change the way we educate our children in the next decade or two. They could support teachers and provide personalized learning experiences, potentially leading to higher success rates and improved student wellbeing. Learning to live and work with such technology will be a key skill, and introducing it to school could better prepare younger generations.

Educators, policymakers, and technology developers need to work together to integrate thoughtful robots like Optimus into educational contexts. As this technology advances, the question remains: Are we ready to embrace a classroom where robots and teachers work together to inspire the next generation? What do you think about the potential of robots like Optimus in education? Are we ready for this next technological leap in our classrooms?