The Convergence of Human Cognition and Digital Education: Mapping the Ethical Frontier

Concurrent Session 6
Streamed Session

Brief Abstract

As education adopts AI and adaptive technologies, their potential to augment learning raises ethical questions around privacy, bias, and transparency. We must develop ethical frameworks guiding their implementation, especially emerging neural interfaces directly interfacing with the brain that profoundly blurs technology and biology.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Rohan Jowallah, University of Central Florida

Dr. Rohan Jowallah has worked in education for over thirty years and has international experience, teaching in the Caribbean, England, and the USA. His teaching experience includes online, face-to-face, and blended modes of course delivery. He has taught at various levels: elementary school, middle school, high school, and university. Dr. Jowallah is currently employed at the University of Central Florida as a Senior Instructional Designer. He also works as an adjunct faculty at two universities. Dr. Jowallah holds an Ed.D. in Language and Literacy in Education from the University of Sheffield in England; M.Ed. in Special Needs and Inclusion Studies from The Open University in England; BSc in Psychology from The Open University in England; Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of Wolverhampton in England; Diploma in Secondary Education from Bethlehem Moravian College in Jamaica and a certificate in Social Work from The University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies. Dr. Jowallah has a published book and several peer-reviewed published journal articles and book chapters. His dominant research areas are learning spaces and inclusion. He is also an active vlogger on YouTube, with over 100 videos connected to his research interest. He currently has over 1450 subscribers and produces weekly content.

Extended Abstract

As education becomes increasingly digitized and augmented by technologies like artificial intelligence and big data analytics, there is tremendous potential to transform learning in revolutionary ways. However, these technologies also raise significant ethical questions around data privacy, bias, transparency, and the potential enhancement of human cognition. This presentation will explore the vision and promise of using AI and adaptive learning platforms to create personalized, engaging education experiences. It will also discuss emerging neural interfaces technologies, like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), that could profoundly augment human learning and blur the lines between technology and biology (Mamun et al., 2021 & Zhang et al., 2020). Mapping the ethics frontier in these converging fields is crucial.

This presentation will articulate principles and guidelines for the ethical implementation of AI in education. It will also make the case for developing a strict ethical framework aligned with the use of digital technologies that directly interface with the human brain and nervous system. As these technologies become more integrated into how we teach and learn, we must consider their social impacts and build ethics into their design. This presentation aims to spur thought and discussion around this vital issue.

Strategies for interaction: Group Discussion and Framework Development Activity 

Key Words: Brain-Computer Interfaces, Ethics, Human Cognition, Digital Education

Reference

Saha, S., Mamun, K. A., Ahmed, K., Mostafa, R., Naik, G. R., Darvishi, S., Khandoker, A. H., & Baumert, M. (2021). Progress in Brain-Computer Interface: Challenges and Opportunities. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2021.578875 

 

Zhang, X., Ma, Z., Zheng, H., Li, T., Chen, K., Wang, X., Liu, C., Xu, L., Wu, X., Lin, D., & Lin, H. (2020). The combination of brain-computer interfaces and artificial intelligence: applications and challenges. Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(11), 712–712. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2019.11.109