The new study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) will empower edtech companies to attack universities worldwide

https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/01/an-exceptionally-cited-article-and.html

On January 12th, I delved into an insightful article from The Economist (linked above) that examined how companies are reaping billions by diverting customers from costly traditional education systems. Additionally, it also highlighted the potential of generative AI to make the Holy Grail of personalized tutoring more accessible for students. It's important to bear in mind that the enrollment figures for courses offered by these companies far exceed the combined student population attending higher education institutions in Europe and the USA. 

Adding to the generative AI advancements, a recent study from researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has revealed a remarkable milestone: GPT-4 has surpassed humans in persuasion by over 80%. https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.14380  

When I prompted GPT to delve into the positive repercussions of this study, it furnished eight beneficial outcomes, delineated below. Particularly noteworthy is the first outcome, which underscores the potential for personalized education,  and the development of  "personalized educational materials tailored to individual learning styles". It's evident that the educational landscape has undergone significant evolution, rendering large classes—where a professor attempts to instruct over 100 students simultaneously—as relics of the 20th century that are now unequivocally seen as inadequate. Delving into the same topic, it's worth revisiting the insights of Senior Lecturer Kristin Smock, who recounted a poignant moment from her early days teaching a large in-person class. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "After my first lecture to a crowd of 700+, a student waited patiently to introduce herself. She mentioned she wanted to meet me because I ‘looked like an ant’ from her seat in the back"

This implies that the generative AI revolution (as evidenced by EPFL's recent study) has the capacity to significantly augment the profitability of the educational companies, resulting in reduced financial support for universities worldwide. Such a scenario could pose grave ramifications for universities already contending with budgetary constraints, leading to financial insolvency for many, especially those ill-equipped to adapt to this new reality.

PS - It's worth noting that on January 25th, I also commented on another article in The Economist, which provided evidence of how generative AI is reshaping the core "business" of universities. The EPFL study offers valuable insights into this evolving paradigm shift.

Education and Training: GPT-4 can be used to develop personalized educational materials tailored to individual learning styles, preferences, and cognitive abilities. By delivering engaging and effective instructional content, GPT-4 can facilitate personalized learning experiences, enhance knowledge retention, and promote lifelong learning among students of all ages.

Behavioral Change Campaigns: GPT-4 can be employed in behavior change campaigns aimed at promoting positive habits and attitudes, such as adopting healthy lifestyles, practicing environmental sustainability, or cultivating empathy and tolerance. By crafting persuasive messages tailored to specific target audiences, GPT-4 can motivate individuals to adopt behaviors that contribute to their well-being and the common good.

Healthcare Communication: GPT-4 can assist healthcare providers in communicating complex medical information to patients in a clear, accessible manner. By generating personalized health recommendations, treatment plans, and wellness strategies, GPT-4 can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and encourage adherence to medical advice and treatment regimens.

Crisis Intervention and Counseling: GPT-4 can be utilized in crisis intervention and counseling services to provide immediate support and guidance to individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or crisis situations. By offering empathetic listening, personalized coping strategies, and referral resources, GPT-4 can augment the availability and accessibility of mental health support services.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation: GPT-4 can assist in facilitating constructive dialogue, negotiation, and conflict resolution processes in interpersonal, organizational, or societal contexts. By generating persuasive arguments, proposing creative solutions, and fostering mutual understanding, GPT-4 can help mitigate conflicts, reconcile differences, and promote peaceful resolution of disputes.

Public Advocacy and Social Justice: GPT-4 can support advocacy efforts aimed at advancing social justice, human rights, and equality by amplifying marginalized voices, raising awareness of systemic injustices, and mobilizing support for policy reforms and social change initiatives. By crafting compelling narratives, mobilizing grassroots activism, and engaging diverse stakeholders, GPT-4 can contribute to building more inclusive and equitable societies.

Cultural Preservation and Heritage Conservation: GPT-4 can aid in documenting, preserving, and promoting cultural heritage, traditions, and languages that are at risk of extinction or erasure. By generating persuasive content that highlights the value of cultural diversity, fosters intercultural dialogue, and promotes respect for indigenous knowledge and practices, GPT-4 can contribute to the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage worldwide.

Environmental Advocacy and Sustainability: GPT-4 can support environmental advocacy efforts by raising awareness of environmental issues, advocating for sustainable practices, and mobilizing support for conservation initiatives. By generating persuasive messages that emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, and adopting eco-friendly lifestyles, GPT-4 can inspire collective action to safeguard the planet for future generations.