How AI is transforming education

How AI is transforming education: expert analysis from CGI co-founder Anthony Quigley on how online learning is changing through new tech

I vividly recall, while working for Microsoft in 1994, we got a demo of the latest version of Microsoft Word. On a huge screen, the (very excited!) product manager showed about 1,000 of us acolytes something called “Autofill” (where Word would either complete the word you started typing or correct spelling errors). This feature was so radical that we were required to sign a document stating we wouldn’t speak of it to anyone outside Microsoft—especially our arch-nemesis, WordPerfect. 

This, my friends, was cutting-edge AI in action. While opinions have varied in the years since, AI has grown to become an integral part of our lives. 

Whether we fight it or not, AI is here to stay. Crucially, it’s poised to revolutionise online education from the product development stage to launch day. 

So, let’s examine that further. Here are some of the ways that we are using AI across our businesses. 

Traditionally, creating an effective online education product—like those of the Digital Marketing Institute – required developers to have a deep understanding of topic and pedagogy, conduct extensive user testing, and continuously iterate based on feedback.

Now, AI is doing much of this heavy lifting by analysing vast amounts of data, identifying learning patterns, and even predicting future educational trends that we can integrate into our products.

Does this mean we’re going to get rid of our product teams? Not at all (in fact, we’re hiring more product folks!); the difference, in reality, is speed: We are now using AI to rapidly develop and test new products. Where it might have previously taken up to nine months to bring products to market; it now takes about three. This product cycle is further shortening as we hone our AI expertise alongside the general improvements in AI.

However, the nuanced empathy and understanding that educators bring to product development cannot be replicated by algorithms. The question is, are we willing to trade a more efficient development process for products that might lack a human touch? While time will tell, I believe we currently have the right balance; our products are highly professional and of the highest quality, with the personal touches required for successful learning.

AI’s impact isn’t limited to product development; it’s also transforming how we market and sell those products. AI-driven analytics identify target audiences with unprecedented accuracy, predict purchasing behaviour, and optimise marketing campaigns in real time. This means we can reach the right people at the right time, maximising return on investment.

Large-scale education companies like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning all use AI to analyse data and recommend courses that align with individual career goals and learning habits. This personalised approach not only enhances the user experience but also increases engagement and retention rates.

Launching an educational product has always been a complex endeavour, involving careful planning, targeted marketing, and ongoing support. AI is now making this process more precise and data-driven. We constantly analyse market trends, competitor strategies, and customer feedback, using AI to fine-tune our product launches.

For example, Duolingo, a language-learning app, was one of the first movers in this space and is taking it to the next level. Duolingo uses AI to adjust the difficulty of its language lessons based on each user’s performance. It helps maintain engagement and allows for smoother scaling of the product.

In summary and conclusion, AI is undeniably transforming the education sector, but its power will always lie in its ability to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. 

As edtech entrepreneurs, educators, and stakeholders, our challenge is leveraging AI smartly and responsibly. We should use it to improve educational outcomes for a brighter future, without sacrificing the human elements that make learning a deeply personal and transformative experience. No algorithm will ever replicate that. 

How AI is transforming education – The Corporate Governance Institute