OpenAI is exploring innovative ways to enhance online education through chatbots. Speaking at an event hosted by Coeus Collective, Siya Raj Purohit, part of OpenAI’s education-focused team, shared the company’s vision of enabling educators to develop customized AI tools, or “GPTs,” tailored to their course content.
Purohit described how professors are already using OpenAI’s tools to create custom chatbots by uploading an entire semester’s worth of material. These AI-driven tools allow students to engage interactively with course content, making research and learning more dynamic. While this initiative isn’t part of OpenAI’s current offerings, it is on their roadmap as they aim to expand into the education sector.
Education is a strategic growth area for OpenAI. In September, the company appointed Leah Belsky, formerly of Coursera, as its first education general manager, signaling a commitment to bringing AI tools like ChatGPT to more schools. Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Edu, a version of its chatbot designed specifically for universities.
According to market analysis by Allied Market Research, the AI in education sector could grow to $88.2 billion within the next decade. However, this growth faces hurdles, particularly resistance from educators who remain cautious about AI’s role in the classroom.
OpenAI envisions chatbots similar to Khanmigo, developed by Khan Academy in collaboration with OpenAI. Khanmigo supports students with tasks like homework help and test preparation, leveraging Khan Academy’s extensive educational resources. However, early evaluations revealed that the chatbot occasionally struggled with accuracy, particularly in solving math problems.
Despite these setbacks, Purohit expressed optimism, stating that OpenAI’s models are continuously improving. The ultimate goal is to refine these tools to better support teaching and learning.
Despite the potential benefits, skepticism about AI in education persists. A survey by Pew Research Center found that 25% of public K-12 teachers believe AI tools do more harm than good. Similarly, a study by the Rand Corporation revealed that only 18% of K-12 educators currently use AI in their classrooms.
As OpenAI develops its education-focused initiatives, bridging the gap between technological advancements and educators’ trust will be crucial to achieving widespread adoption.
