Abstract
Competency-based education promotes equity, flexibility, and learner-centred experiences, particularly in digital education. To maximize its impact, it must evolve alongside artificial intelligence. Rather than replacing human intelligence, AI can serve as a creative partner, enriching learning by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability beyond mere outcomes. AI is transforming digital education by enhancing research accessibility and fostering inclusivity, particularly in multilingual academic environments. In non-English-speaking regions, AI helps remove linguistic and technological barriers. AI-powered tools improve accessibility through multilingual transcription, automated translation, AI-driven learning analytics, and enhanced literature search and review, enabling greater participation in global academic discussions. AI supports professional development by aiding language acquisition, academic writing, and scholarly communication. AI-driven writing assistants provide real-time feedback, refine academic work, and streamline literature reviews. AI-enabled speech recognition and adaptive tutoring systems also strengthen language learning while preserving local linguistic diversity, ensuring inclusivity and cultural responsiveness. The effectiveness of AI in digital education depends on the interplay between technology and human expertise. AI acts as both an expert and a naive assistant, generating insights while relying on human input for contextual refinement. This evolving feedback loop enhances learning, broadens accessibility, and fosters academic integrity.
Presenters
Gelareh KeshavarzResearch Associate and Doctoral Student, Distance Education, Athabsca University, Ontario, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Adult, Community, and Professional Learning
KEYWORDS
Competency-Based Education, Artificial Intelligence in Education, Digital Learning, Educational Equity
