Inspenet, June 30, 2023.
AInstein is yet another demonstration that the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the educational field. A team of students and teachers from three schools in Cyprus have created a robot prototype that uses AI technology to enhance the teaching experience in classrooms.
This peculiar-looking robot, similar to the well-known character Michelin Man, but with a screen that tries to emulate a human face and an AI chatbot called ChatGPT that allows it to interact with students and teachers. With its English voice and American accent, the robot can tell jokes, try to speak Greek, and offer guidance on teaching Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
AI is increasingly present in the classroom
AInstein’s main purpose is to integrate into the educational environment, providing an interactive experience where students can ask questions and he can provide answers, which even makes it easier for teachers to deliver lessons more effectively. In addition, the tutors have shown how AI can be adapted to classroom teaching, using this creation to explain the concept of gravitational time dilation from Einstein’s theory of relativity.
Elpidoforos Anastacious, who is a student tutor, explains the following:
“First of all, the touch screen was designed primarily to combine movement with the brain, so that it was interactive and also game-like so that children could interact with it and see what it was doing at the moment. The second screen, on the other hand, is directly connected to the brain with GPT Chat, so you can see what the robot recognizes before sending the signal to the computer to change the voice. The computer is also used to modify the robot’s voice to make it sound like Einstein.”
AInstain and the students
The students who participated in the project are enthusiastic about the opportunities that AI technology offers in education. According to Richard Erkhov, a 16-year-old who led the programming of the robot’s AI brain, AI has enormous potential to improve various aspects of life, including education and medicine.
Vladimir Baranov, another 15-year-old student, described the technology as “amazing” and highlighted how AI mimics human thinking and responds in similar ways to people. Although they acknowledge that the robot is not yet fully perfected, they consider that it is in a constant process of improvement.
The project has managed to convey a clear message to students: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not something to be feared. Through their collaboration with the robot, they have learned to interact positively with this technology, which has contributed to changing their perception towards AI. This project exemplifies the potential of AI technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences in the educational environment.
Undoubtedly, Artificial intelligence has become an invaluable tool in schools, transforming the way students learn and teachers teach. With capabilities like data analysis, pattern recognition, and personalization of learning, AI helps educators tailor curricula based on individual student needs.
Another positive aspect is that it facilitates access to online educational resources, promoting collaborative learning and encouraging the active participation of students. By boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational process, AI plays a crucial role in preparing students to face the challenges of the future and develop relevant skills for the digital age.