Robots: Learning companions for our children

When you were a child, did you ever dream of having an imaginary buddy to help you with your schoolwork? What has long been the stuff of science fiction may soon become a reality. With the progress that has been made in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the idea that every child could have a personal robot tutor is no longer so outlandish, and some schools and countries have already introduced robots into the classroom. What role can AIl play in education, and what promises and challenges does it entail?

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In 1997, when the supercomputer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov in a dramatic six-game match, the world suddenly took notice of the existence of artificial intelligence and its potential. Since then, AI has made several spectacular technological leaps. Today’s machines are not only capable of performing billions of operations per second, they are also able to learn. In 2017, it took the computer program AlphaZero just a few hours of playing thousands of games against itself to reach a level of proficiency no human chess player can match.

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With the advances they have made over the past 20 years, artificial intelligence and machine learning have begun to permeate nearly every aspect of our everyday lives – and education is no exception. Research in the fields of educational robotics and neurocomputing is now focusing on building machines that can effectively support learning and teaching – and a great deal has already been accomplished. One of the goals is to create robot tutors that can adapt to each child’s needs.

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This idea holds great promise. Robot tutors that are capable of learning would allow teaching to become much more personalized, since they can adapt as the child progresses. If pupils struggle with an exercise, the robot can provide extra practice; once they have mastered the material, the robot can move on to more difficult subject matter, in keeping with the principle of scaffolded learning. The robot can also adapt its strategies to the needs of children with learning difficulties.

Children playing with robots – what does this mean for their development?

Robotic technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last couple of decades, gradually extending its reach across industries. Warehouses and factories were the first to be taken over by robots, followed by bars and restaurants, where they’re also becoming an increasingly common sight. Now, robots are poised to enter our homes as well. And they’re using our children to do it.

A girl wearing blue headphones playing with a robotic toy with a smartphone and tablet in front of her

While they’re still far from capable of fully replacing human contact, robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated and human-like. This trend is likely to continue in the future and could forever change how we interact with machines. “Robots touch something deeply human within us,” adds Breazeal. “And so whether they’re helping us to become creative and innovative, or whether they’re helping us to feel more deeply connected despite distance, or whether they are our trusted sidekick who’s helping us attain our personal goals in becoming our highest and best selves, for me, robots are all about people.”