Have you ever pondered the frequent assertion that “business as usual” is a concept of the past and that we have entered a “new normal”?
In the upcoming 24 months, over half of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are expected to deploy generative artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that’s announced as game-changing beyond the educational sphere.
Whether acknowledged or not, the standard operating procedures once familiar to us have been rendered obsolete by the advent of AI. The current imperative is to adapt and devise strategies to implement AI in ways that are meaningful and responsible for your organisation.
Today, a technology decision extends beyond its initial scope. It is a confluence of technological, economic, social, and ethical considerations. For the vocational education and training sector, it is paramount to establish common principles and a vision for AI that not only illuminates the path forward but also delineates the acceptable parameters of human-machine interactions.
The government is in the process of revising the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and other regulatory instruments. A significant issue that has arisen among many stakeholders is the adequacy of our current regulatory framework in addressing the use of AI by students during assessments. These concerns spotlight the need for regulations that can keep pace with technological advancements and ensure the integrity of assessment activities.
Are your staff worried about being replaced by AI?
Machines are evolving from being our tools to becoming our teammates. The real concern for staff members is being replaced by someone who knows how to use AI to be more efficient and productive. This can seem like a scary time, but with a good change management strategy, leaders can foster natural transitions for AI-induced changes.
RTO’s leaders need to communicate why they believe integrating AI will benefit staff and students. I have listed some of these benefits below.
RTOs can create efficiencies to develop personalised learning, based on AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data to understand the learning patterns, strengths, and weaknesses of individual students.
AI technologies can provide ongoing feedback to students’ during training and formative assessment tasks. This immediate feedback can help learners correct mistakes and refine their skills in real-time.
AI can help in curating and updating training materials, and support trainers and instructional designers in the process of incorporating cutting edge content and ensuring training is up-to-date and relevant, which is crucial in fields that are rapidly evolving.
I have seen a revolution in the automation of administrative tasks offered by Student Management Systems (SMS) during the last 24 months. Many of the administrative tasks associated with education management, such as enrolment, attendance tracking, and compliance reporting are now automated, and relevant workflows established.
The disruptive impact of AI on training organisations can be categorised into two waves:
The first wave is an internal paradigm shift that revamp traditional delivery methods and operational models. AI acts as a non-human “partner” with a unique set of capabilities for managing and analysing information, which serves to assist trainers, instructional designers, and administrative staff.
The second wave is external; it envisages AI becoming a workplace ally for a vast majority of companies in Australia and globally. RTOs bear the responsibility of preparing a new workforce for this emerging human-machine partnership in an increasingly unpredictable employment landscape.
By embracing AI’s transformative potential and leading the charge on responsible integration, RTOs can secure a pivotal role in shaping a future where human potential is amplified, and vocational education remains a bastion of innovation and adaptability.
The integration of AI in vocational education is not merely a trend but a strategic imperative. As educators and leaders, it is our duty to steer this integration thoughtfully, ensuring that our actions today will pave the way for a future that values both human expertise and technological advancement.
