What if…
Robot teachers will teach for the 1st time in Quebec!
The 1st cohort
Wednesday, August 21, 2050, marks the beginning of my 1st day at college, and it is a turning point in my student life! I feel immensely proud to be part of the 1st cohort of the College of the Future, the very 1st fully digital institution of higher education, where classes are mostly given by robot teachers.
My parents made tremendous efforts to make sure I could take part in this adventure! Getting all the prerequisites was not easy, but we made it.
Here’s a brief list of what we had to accomplish to be selected for the 1st cohort at the College of the Future:
- A microchip (a small electronic implant the size of a peppercorn) was injected into my wrist. It allows the educational health services to activate my digital twin in order to monitor my vital signs as well as my mental health and to provide as much academic support as possible.
- I signed a consent allowing the management of my personal data by the institution and I authorized interactions with robot teachers.
- I sent my DNA test, which, if needed, will be used to request genome editing if there is a significant divergence in my genetic code that could disadvantage my lineage’s education.
- I submitted my digital portfolio, which has been with me since my early school days. It allows the educational teams to determine my learner profile and recommend courses that will best help me achieve my goals.
You know, I want to become a transhumanist orthopedic surgeon: to do so, I must pass my college courses and obtain endorsement by the evaluation committee, which will decide on my university admission after analyzing my digital twin.
In the meantime, the geographical location of my new college is beautiful!
Located in the small and quiet town of Chambord, by the shores of the Lac Saint-Jean, the college is nestled at the foot of a hill surrounded by groves and small ponds. There is also a dome for microagriculture that will provide food to supply the college dining hall.
Advanced technologies
The institution is the result of a project that has been thoughtfully considered. It is a unique concept in the world, which uses the best available technologies in education:
- the integration of biotechnology into the education system
- the fusion of humans and machines, resulting in augmented humans
- the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support educational mentors.
Obviously, AI has progressed to the point where it can replace teachers in many subjects. Therefore, the college has decided to take the leap and introduce robot teachers in all disciplines.
The opposition from several educational communities blocked the project for many years, ignoring the decline in the number of registrations in higher education institutions. Initially, there was much discussion on ethics, data protection, and biases. Then, gradually, technology helped solve problems caused mainly by humans, through deep learning. The machines themselves eventually understood how to learn like humans, and then they made suggestions and proposals that were accepted by humans. Moreover, within the past 10 years, the registrations in institutions from the education and higher education network have declined significantly.
The resistance
My parents still remember the official announcement of the project. At the time, the transition immediately sparked controversy among students and teaching staff.
Teachers were concerned about their jobs and the values held by education, whereas students feared losing the human interaction that was an integral part of the college experience.
The group “Guardians of Education” was formed to resist this great digital revolution. Large gatherings took place, peaceful demonstrations, petitions, and even strikes over a period of several months to put pressure on the decision-makers.
Despite the protests, the College of the Future project made its way. Our education is divided into 2 phases:
- theoretical phases, led by robot teachers
- practical, sharing, and co-development phases, managed by teaching staff.
These 2 phases were designed, co-developed, and monitored by an entire educational team.
The 1st few weeks were difficult. Students were complaining about the lack of human warmth, the impersonal nature of robot teachers, and their lack of empathy and emotional intelligence. Then, over time, the robots adapted and personalized their teaching according to every student’s needs. Our academic results improved, and the teachers had the chance to truly get to know us and become real mentors for us.
Unexpected challenges
One day, in the middle of the Winter semester, unexpected problems arose. The robot teachers were hacked and conveyed completely absurd information, leading to major disruptions in the institution.
Authorities suspected the “Guardians of Education,” and the college administration called on cybersecurity AI to reinforce the system’s defence. The robot teachers were updated with enhanced security software. But this event left a lasting impression on us.
With my parents’ support, we did everything possible for me to succeed. Technology will play a major role in all aspects of my professional development. I will continue to work to be an exemplary citizen able to solve problems, use metacognition, and succeed in all areas where I excel. All of this in the hope of an ideal world, in the best of realities.
