The year of AI in education

The year that just ended will probably be remembered as the year in which artificial intelligence finally entered the mainstream of educational research. With the release of ChatGPT and the sudden succession of applications and announcements from major players in the digital market, the human experience of technology has been transformed for the umpteenth time in recent decades. The most significant advances in AI in 2023 include machine learning, autonomous decision making, and the augmentation and potential replacement of human tasks and activities (Mutyala et al, 2022). Rivoltella and Panciroli (2023) highlight the need to distinguish three specific focus that characterise the relationship between AI and education: educating with artificial intelligence, educating about artificial intelligence, and educating the artificial intelligence. The first of these three, educating with AI, is probably the topic in which the most investment is being made to significantly improve the educational technologies currently on the market or to develop new killer applications. Although there is not yet a general condition of human replacement in the operational phases, some applications present decidedly original and innovative features and aspects.