The education revolution: from the impact of television to the integration of Artificial Intelligence

*Per Ana Cláudia Donner Abreu 

Paulo Freire, in his work “Education and the Media,” explored the challenges and impacts of television on education, highlighting the inseparability between educational processes and the media. Currently, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education brings to light new discussions about the challenges and impacts of an emerging technology that promises to transform our way of teaching and learning. This text proposes to establish a parallel between the challenges pointed out by Freire in the past and the contemporary challenges introduced by AI by examining the new forms of communication and interaction in the educational context. 

Freire argued that television, as a mass media, could alienate as much as educate. He saw significant educational potential in television, but warned about the risk of a banking pedagogy, where viewers would become passive recipients of information. This concern is fundamental to the author, for whom education should be an active and participatory process, and the media should be used as a tool to promote critical awareness. 

In addition, Freire highlighted that television could contribute to education if used critically and reflectively, with students being encouraged to question and analyze the content transmitted, rather than passively accepting it. This critical view of the media is essential to understanding the current challenges that arise with the integration of AI in education. 

Artificial Intelligence represents a significant evolution in relation to television, offering not only the transmission of information, but also interaction and personalization of learning. However, just as Freire identified the risks of using television in education, it is also important to understand the challenges and opportunities for the use of AI in education. 

New Challenges 

1. Inequality of Access: Like television, AI can exacerbate existing inequalities if access to the technology is not universal. In many countries, the lack of adequate infrastructure, such as access to Internet and technological devices, can prevent students from benefiting from the advantages of AI. 
2. Privacy and Security: AI, by collecting and analyzing large volumes of data about students, raises significant privacy and security concerns. Protecting student data must be a priority to ensure that the technology is used ethically and safely.
3. Critical Skills Development: The use of AI can promote a form of passive learning, where students rely on machines for answers and solutions. It is essential that AI-based education continues to develop critical and reflective skills in students, aligning with Freire’s vision of an emancipatory education. 
4. Educator Preparation: The introduction of AI in education suggests that educators should be properly trained to integrate this technology into their teaching practices effectively. Continuous training of teachers is essential so that they can use AI as a tool that enriches the educational process. 

In addition to these challenges, there are new ways of learning and communicating that arise from the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. These new approaches include: Interactivity and Personalization: Unlike television, which is a one-way communication medium, AI enables two-way and highly interactive communication. Tools such as virtual tutors and adaptive learning systems can personalize teaching according to the individual needs of each student, promoting more effective and engaging learning;  Data-Driven Learning: AI enables the collection and analysis of vast amounts of educational data, allowing educators to identify patterns and adapt their teaching strategies to improve learning outcomes. This data-driven approach can contribute to more efficient and targeted education; THEImmersive Learning Environments: Technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), powered by AI, create immersive learning environments that can enrich the educational experience. These technologies provide opportunities for learning in a hands-on and engaging way, making it easier to understand complex concepts; Global Collaboration: AI can facilitate collaboration between students and educators from different parts of the world, breaking down geographical and cultural barriers. Educational platforms online and AI-powered communication tools enable students to participate in global collaborative projects, expanding their perspectives and knowledge.

Inspired by Freire, educators must act as critical mediators in the process of integrating AI into education. They must encourage students to question and reflect on the use of technology, promoting a critical and conscious stance. Freire always defended education as a process of awareness and emancipation, and this perspective is even more relevant in the age of AI. Educators need to foster an environment where students not only use technological tools, but also understand their ethical, social and cultural implications. 

Furthermore, educators must be agents of change, continually training themselves to explore the potential of AI and adapting their teaching practices to maximize the benefits of this technology. This includes incorporating new teaching methodologies, personalizing learning, and using data to improve educational processes. 

Ongoing education for educators is essential to ensure they stay up to date with technological innovations and best pedagogical practices associated with AI. This requires a collaborative effort between educational institutions, governments, and communities to provide the necessary resources and support. 

Teachers also play a vital role in ensuring that AI is used equitably and inclusively. They must be aware of disparities in access to technology and work to address these inequities, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to benefit from the advantages that AI can offer. 

Final Considerations 

The integration of artificial intelligence into education represents a unique opportunity to transform the teaching-learning process, but it also brings significant challenges that must be approached with care and responsibility. Inspired by Paulo Freire’s critical view of the media, we must ensure that AI is used as a tool to promote critical awareness, social inclusion and the development of reflective skills in students. 

By understanding and addressing the challenges and exploring the new forms of communication enabled by AI, we can build a more equitable, inclusive and effective education system. It is through this process of critical reflection and continuous adaptation that education can truly benefit from technological innovations, preparing students for an increasingly interconnected and technological future.

*Ana Cláudia Donner Abreu is a THINK TANK ABES Researcher – IEA/USP and Senior Researcher at the Integration Engineering and Knowledge Governance Laboratory at PPGEGC/UFSC. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Association.

Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies