AJ Barse : Digital Alchemy

AI Trend Spotting: Fall 2024

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AJ
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Ongoing Trends

AI as a frontend interface for understanding data

The use of AI as a front-end interface for interacting with large datasets is rapidly transforming how organizations analyze and visualize data. Microsoft Azure, Panopto, and even Canvas are all exploring and rolling out AI services to help process reports and data. Traditionally, data analysis required manually combing through vast spreadsheets and making sense of complex figures to generate charts and insights. This process was not only time-consuming but also prone to human error, often leading to missed trends and overlooked patterns. AI has the potential to also make errors, but its aid in large data analytics may alleviate more for the human working for it, to better analyze the data causing less errors over all.

With the integration of AI and natural language processing, users can now “ask” their data questions in plain language and receive instant, intuitive responses. AI systems can sift through enormous datasets, identify correlations, and generate visualizations without the need for manual intervention. This capability democratizes data analysis, allowing individuals without deep technical expertise to uncover insights that were previously buried in layers of complexity.

This trend is paving the way for more informed decision-making, as AI can reveal hidden trends and patterns that might have gone unnoticed with traditional methods. By reducing the barrier to data analysis, AI-powered interfaces are not only making data more accessible but also enabling higher education to harvest more from their data assets and research. As AI continues to evolve, we may see a future where the laborious task of manual data analysis become largely obsolete, replaced by intelligent systems that can provide actionable insights with just a simple query. And the role of the human is to vet the response and spend more time drawing tends with faster analysis’s.

AI for accessibility and for reaching alternative learning styles

AI is increasingly playing a crucial role in making content more accessible and accommodating diverse disabilities and learning styles. By leveraging AI technologies, educators, content creators, and organizations can tailor content to meet the unique needs of different users, ensuring that information is more inclusive and universally accessible.

One key example is AI-driven text-to-speech tools, which can convert written content into natural-sounding audio. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with visual impairments or those who prefer auditory learning. Apps like Eleven Labs Reader and Speech Central allow users to listen to books, PDFs, and other text-based materials, making content accessible on the go and supporting multitasking.

AI also enhances accessibility through automatic captioning and transcription services, such as those provided by platforms like Panopto and Zoom. These tools generate real-time captions for videos and live events, making content accessible to individuals with hearing impairments. Similarly, AI can translate content into multiple languages, breaking down language barriers and making information accessible to a global audience.

For those with cognitive disabilities or learning differences, AI can adapt content to fit different learning styles. Tools like GrammarlyGO with AI can adjust the complexity of text, rephrase content to improve clarity, and offer alternative explanations to help users better understand the material. There is potential that AI-powered learning platforms can customize educational experiences by analyzing a student’s progress and tailoring lessons to their pace and style of learning. Canvas does not have these features, but I could see Instructure weaving in a product on top of Canvas (perhaps through Mastery Paths) to facilitate this. Or even create a product that will expand upon algorithmic based Computer Based Assessment (CBA) for things like state board exams and systems.

Overall, the integration of AI in content creation and delivery is fostering a more inclusive environment by addressing the diverse needs of users. It helps empower faculty to be more accessible, as the AI can help save time for the faculty who has inaccessible content already created. In my opinion, as these technologies continue to evolve, they hold the promise of creating a world where content is accessible to everyone by default, regardless of ability. At the same time, training is still required to for any faculty, or content creator, to be able to leverage them and meet WACAG standards and to make sure AI is being used effectively. AI is not the silver bullet for accessibility online, faculty still need to know the why behind what goes into making things accessible. Otherwise, we run the risk of the AI tool makeing more work in the long run, if not only in it hallucination of content, but its making up what it thinks is best for accessibility.