Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Training

Introduction

Today artificial intelligence is developing at an increasingly fast pace and is being introduced into almost all areas of people's life (Yang et al., 2021). Thus, in 2020, the volume of investment in artificial intelligence technologies increased by 40% and amounted to $ 67.9 billion (TAdviser, 2021). Education also does not stand aside. Artificial intelligence represents an emerging domain of prospects conducive to the enhancement of teacher preparation, as asserted by Karsenti (2019) and expounded upon by Nichols and Holmes (2018). The issue of creating robots that can replace teachers is being actively discussed in the scientific community (Roll & Wylie, 2016). At the moment, software developers are not ready to develop computer systems that would fully meet the requirements of the education sector as there are still problems with the recognition of human speech by robots, imitation of thinking processes, etc.; however, artificial intelligence can be partly used in education, in particular teacher training. Today, such methodologies include the use of search engines and their various functions, electronic translators, computing systems, virtual reality, educational computer games, etc. (Tegmark, 2017).

The Covid-19 pandemic showed the need for wider application of technology in education as the need for distance learning arose (Al-Zyoud, 2020; TAdviser, 2021). Since 2020, teachers have been actively using remote work software platforms (for example, Zoom), various teaching tools and websites (Moodle, iSpring, Edmodo, GoogleClassroom).

Artificial intelligence relates to anything that can cope with non-routine tasks at a human level or better than a human level. For example, traffic cameras and security systems. The algorithms behind each technology are unique. To date, experts are improving the following functions of artificial intelligence in the field of education: a tutor (one-on-one instruction, selection of a learning route), automatic assessment of the knowledge, analysis of student behaviour (reasons for absenteeism, the emotional and physical state of a person). Also, artificial intelligence can collect and process data of the participants in the educational process (success, grades, characteristics, etc.). With the help of artificial intelligence tools, students can learn foreign languages, medicine and other sciences; today many services can provide feedback to the student (Duggan, 2020; Kong, 2020; Mustafa & Garcia, 2021).

Today in most countries of the world, including Russia and China, traditional education prevails. However, technology is becoming increasingly important in the educational process. Thus, in 2017, 800 universities placed about 9,000 training courses on various educational platforms. Computers are expected to almost completely replace teachers in the coming years. Despite the differences between human and artificial intelligence, scientists see the potential to facilitate and improve education in both traditional (face-to-face) learning and blended/online learning (González-Calatayud et al., 2021; Kumar, 2019).

Rising teachers, like other students, can be taught with the use of artificial intelligence. In particular, machines could manage planning, accounting, content optimization, student grading, and other functions. Teaching today requires good communication skills, knowledge in the field of psychology (the ability to recognize emotions, take into account individual abilities, knowledge of the principles of motivation, etc.) and experience in communicating with people. For this reason, many professionals are sceptical about the use of artificial intelligence in teacher training. Today a partial transfer of responsibilities to artificial intelligence rather than a complete transition to this type of training is being considered.

Digital technologies began to be widely applied in education in 2020, and today some conclusions can already be made (assess the knowledge of students, collect the opinions of teachers, compare the results with the data until 2020, etc.). There are no effective robot teachers yet, but artificial intelligence is already actively used to solve specific problems (administrative work, assessment, etc.).