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International Education Day | Human Agency in an Automated World

Posted on January 2025

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In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken centre stage for its ability to efficiently handle repetitive or complex tasks quickly and create personalised experiences, becoming an integral part of our daily lives – whether we like it or not! From predictive text on smartphones to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, and the increasing prevalence of AI-powered chatbots in customer service, it’s undeniable that AI is transforming how we interact with the world and even with each other.

And with this, it’s no surprise that AI is also becoming more and more integrated into the workplace - and the education and recruitment sectors are no exception.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-learning and investment into educational technology (EdTech). In fact, the UK currently boasts the largest EdTech industry in Europe, with AI emerging as one of the fastest-evolving trends. AI is already being utilised in some institutions to assist with tasks like marking and grade automation, and there is ongoing discussion about its potential role in curriculum development and lesson planning. However, one fundamental truth remains unchanged: AI cannot replace teachers or academics. Human interaction is the cornerstone of the learning experience, providing context, empathy, and inspiration that no technology can replicate. Current and future generations will need to learn the power of human interaction with AI, and embrace the technology to maximise their potential.

Similar to the education sector, people are at the heart of the recruitment sector. Recruitment is and always will be a rapidly evolving sector which has had a lot of changes over the eight years I’ve been working within the industry. Today, AI can be used to generate advertisements based on briefings from clients, streamlining the process and saving time. Additionally, AI can help remove bias from job advertisements, ensuring they are inclusive and accessible to all applicants—a step forward in promoting diversity and equality.

As an education recruiter, sourcing relevant candidates from job boards has become easier with the help of AI-driven search platforms. These tools accurately parse information from resumes to identify candidates specifically from the education sector. This approach is far more efficient than traditional BOOLEAN searches, which relied on terms like "School," "College," or "University" appearing on a CV— which tends to be on most CVs regardless!

These are just a few examples of advancements which saves time for both job seekers and clients and allows for more meaningful connections. But where systems and AI can rank candidates based on keyword matches, it is a recruiter’s critical analysis and insight which determine whether those candidates truly fit the company’s culture and long-term goals.

Technology can certainly handle the "what" and "how" of recruitment, but it is the "why" and "who" that still require a distinctly human approach – and this is something that AI cannot replicate.

The future of recruitment and education lies in a balanced approach. As we embrace technology to handle the operational aspects of hiring, the need for influence, critical thinking and connection becomes even more pronounced. By combining the advancements of AI with a human-first approach, we can deliver recruitment solutions that are both efficient and deeply impactful. After all, while tech may drive the process, it is people who shape the outcomes.

Louis Pearson

Manager - Education

lpearson@venngroup.com

07441 916168