A heated discussion at the round table ‘How Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Education’ as part of the Regional Development Forum – Education in Focus conference, organized by the Croatian Association of Counties, raised the question of the use of digital technologies in education. The panel was opened by Tomislav Bolanča, Vice-Rector for Business and Digitalization at the University of Zagreb, who, when asked by moderator Mislav Togonal whether he fears artificial intelligence, stated that he does not. According to him, the fears that artificial intelligence will make certain decisions for us, such as investment decisions, are unfounded, and he emphasized that AI has been used in medicine for two decades to suggest diagnoses to doctors. Moreover, artificial intelligence in the role of a tutor for students already exists.
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On Bolanča’s remarks, Robert Kopal, CEO of the Effectus Higher Education Institution and member of the Commission for the Ethical Change of Artificial Intelligence in Education, added that he ‘doesn’t know whether to cry or jump out of his skin’. – One half of me fights against artificial intelligence, and I believe we should be cautious about its application – said Kopal. He presented a series of data from research indicating that as many as 74 percent of parents of children aged two and under allow the use of mobile phones. – When children use artificial intelligence in education, long-term memory does not receive content – emphasized Kopal. In his opinion, children should start using mobile phones only after the age of 13, and this is the responsibility of parents, which was met with applause from those present. – Do we really want to introduce digital technology into kindergartens? Let’s develop creativity and critical thinking in children so that they can develop into holistic individuals – added Kopal.
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He emphasized that he is primarily against the uncritical use of artificial intelligence. – Artificial intelligence needs to be regulated precisely so that it can succeed. If it is regulated, it will gain trust, and then it will be used – claims Kopal, adding that in this regard, binding global regulation at the level of the United Nations is urgently needed. Hrvoje Balen, Chairman of the Management Board of Algebra University, reminded that before the advent of mobile phones, there was television, which also provided the opportunity for children to be neglected. – Here, the crucial role is that of the family, not for parents to expect the system to protect children from digital content – stated Balen. As he pointed out, digital technology has significantly democratized access to knowledge, and in this context, the role of teachers should be mentoring.
