DIGITALIZATION OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

АННОТАЦИЯ

В современном мире цифровизация и технологическое оборудование широко применяются в различных сферах, включая образование. В исследовании рассматриваются преимущества цифровизации в обучении, такие как персонализация образовательных возможностей, формирование адаптивной учебной среды с учётом потребностей студентов и снижение административной нагрузки на преподавателей. Также анализируется интеграция технических средств в образовательный процесс с акцентом на использование технологий искусственного интеллекта и оценку их этических принципов.

ABSTRACT

In the modern world, digitalization and technological equipment are widely used in various fields, including education. This study examines the benefits of digitalization in education, such as personalization of educational opportunities, the creation of an adaptive learning environment tailored to student needs, and a reduction in the administrative burden on teachers. It also analyzes the integration of technological tools into the educational process, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence technologies and assessing their ethical principles.

Ключевые слова: процесс цифровизации в образовании, технология, искусственный интеллект, этические принципы

Keywords: digitalization in education, technology, artificial intelligence, ethical principles.

Introduction

In the modern era, the rapid development of digital technologies is significantly transforming the structure and functions of the education system. The educational process, moving away from traditional models, is becoming interactive and technology-oriented, requiring a renewed focus on teacher-student relationships and learning strategies. The expansion of distance and hybrid forms of education highlights the strategic importance of digital technologies, while simultaneously highlighting issues of access to educational resources, quality of education, and human development in the context of digital transformation. Therefore, research into the digitalization of education is of particular scientific significance. This article examines the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence technologies in education, and its subject is their impact on the educational process. The aim of the study is to define the role of digital technologies, analyze local and international experience, and evaluate the ethical principles of using artificial intelligence in education. The paper employs methods of scientific literature analysis, systematization, generalization, statistical and comparative analysis, and the study of international reports.

Implementation of digitalization in the education system

In the modern era, the rapid development of technology is leading to profound changes in the field of education. Scientific information obtained through scientific knowledge also plays a vital role in the development of modern society. Naturally, its acquisition, dissemination, and use are essential for the development of science. Scientific information is disseminated in time and space through specific channels, means, and methods. [9, 113] One of these is digitalization, which creates opportunities for improving the effectiveness of learning, personalizing teaching, and reducing the workload of teachers. In Azerbaijan, digital transformation programs and artificial intelligence application strategies are aimed at modernizing the education system and are used in personalized learning, assessment, and teacher support. Digitalization opens up significant opportunities at the individual, social, and institutional levels, especially in countries transitioning to a knowledge society, where it is viewed as a priority of educational policy in the context of the "fourth industrial revolution." The use of digital technologies and big data analysis improves the effectiveness of learning and the accessibility of education at all levels—from preschool to higher education. At the same time, the implementation of digital education is uneven: in a number of countries, technological, cultural, and infrastructural limitations persist. Mobile devices and e-learning platforms are transforming the traditional educational process, expanding the spatial and temporal possibilities of learning and interaction between teacher and student [6, 1741–1755].

Key features of the application of artificial intelligence in education

The concept of artificial intelligence was introduced by John McCarthy as a scientific field aimed at creating machines and computer programs capable of human-like thinking. Scientific approaches view artificial intelligence as an intuitive programming method, a technological tool for solving complex problems, or a theoretical model for reproducing natural intelligence [2, 76]. The first applications of artificial intelligence in education are associated with the work of Sidney Levitt Pressey, who demonstrated that multiple-choice tests can serve not only as an assessment tool but also as a teaching tool by developing a mechanical testing machine with immediate feedback. Frederic Skinner further developed this approach, creating a teaching machine that allows students to move to the next stage with correct answers, laying the theoretical foundations for personalized learning and modern intelligent educational systems. Currently, artificial intelligence systems track individual learning trajectories, provide adaptive activities, and provide analytical data to teachers, increasing the effectiveness of the educational process. The main areas of application of AI in education include personalized learning and dialog systems, intelligent and game-based educational environments, automated analysis of responses and feedback, reducing the workload of teachers, and selecting educational resources taking into account the individual needs of students [4, 94-97]. The use of artificial intelligence in education has a number of advantages, including the formation of personalized and adaptive learning processes, expanding learning opportunities beyond time and space constraints, developing students' skills and motivation, and optimizing the management and use of educational institution resources. Monitoring learning behavior allows for a deeper understanding of learning mechanisms, while automation of assessment and liberating teachers from routine tasks improves their professional efficiency. [3, 263]. The use of artificial intelligence is also accompanied by certain difficulties, including risks to the protection of personal data and privacy, inequality in digital opportunities, problems of access to technology, insufficient institutional training of teachers and educational institutions, financial costs required for software and infrastructure, etc. [8, 1471-1472].

Research on the application of artificial intelligence in education in Latin America and the Caribbean shows that these technologies are primarily used for lesson planning, personalized learning, early detection of dropout risk, mentoring, virtual student support, and automation of management. The experiences of Chile, the United States, Ecuador, and other countries demonstrate the positive impact of AI on supporting teachers and students, while emphasizing the need to reduce the digital divide, develop an ethical framework, and enhance educators' competencies in the field of artificial intelligence [1, 5-11]. Intelligent tutoring systems are one of the most common applications of artificial intelligence in education and provide personalized learning, primarily in mathematics and physics. These systems adaptively select learning materials and the difficulty level of tasks, and provide immediate feedback. Their structure includes a domain model responsible for representing subject knowledge, a pedagogical model defining learning strategies, and a learner model tracking the level of knowledge and individual learning trajectory. Additionally, an open learning model is used, increasing the transparency of the educational process for students and faculty [4, 102–105]. Professional systems are programs that solve specialized problems in a given field and are based on human experience. These systems solve problems systematically, leveraging the knowledge of faculty and specialists, and support student learning through features such as personalized learning, feedback, and task presentation, especially in distance education. For example, the MYCIN system in the field of medicine is an example of this [2, 82].

Ethical principles for the use of artificial intelligence in education

A key requirement for educational and academic activities is adherence to ethical standards in the conduct of educational and research work. In this context, the ethical principles of using artificial intelligence are particularly relevant and are considered the foundation for its responsible application. According to research findings, the following points are among the key ethical considerations: first, submitting assignments completed using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) without independent analysis may violate the principles of academic integrity, despite the fact that students often use such technologies to support research and develop writing skills; second, excessive reliance on AI can weaken students' analytical, creative, and critical thinking, which negatively impacts the development of competencies; third, the information provided by AI is not always accurate and up-to-date, increasing the risk of disseminating erroneous or outdated knowledge; fourth, the lack of transparency in the assessment of AI-generated work hinders objective review and the provision of accurate feedback. In this regard, both students and teachers need to be aware of the capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies [5].

Conclusion. Thus, artificial intelligence in education has particular potential in the areas of personalized learning, teacher support, management optimization, and improved learning outcomes. At the same time, the application of artificial intelligence in education is fraught with a number of challenges and ethical considerations. On the other hand, artificial intelligence can be described as machines and programs capable of thinking, problem-solving, inferring, and generalizing. However, it should not be forgotten that it is created by humans. Therefore, it is important to note that artificial intelligence cannot replace the role of teachers. Since teachers' role is not limited to the transmission of knowledge, they also play an important role in the spiritual, personal, and professional development of students.

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