Athabasca University is one of the first universities in the world to incorporate AI-powered co-op learning experiences, with Administration (ADMN) 405: – Capstone 2: Application and Integration of Contemporary Business Topics. Having been a learner in the first cohort of ADMN405, then getting invited to contribute to the development of the course, it has allowed me to see the course expand to become more than what it was created to be. That process has involved the introduction of an Indigenous learning module, a gender gap module, and even a neurodivergent module, to address distinct challenges that different members of society may face. All the modules account for different situations that may arise in the workplace, providing learners with a thinking framework for such situations.
One of my early recommendations regarding the AI-powered learning experience was that learners do not get penalized and lose grades when interactions with the AI do not go as planned, so long as they detail the thinking behind their interaction and suggest an alternative approach. What makes this controlled learning environment so special is that it can be leveraged to replicate situational events and social interactions that a learner may come across during their career. It would also allow learners to make mistakes in a controlled environment rather than having them make those same mistakes in the real world.
The potential of such technology is limitless, which is why I recently suggested leveraging it within an entirely different institutional setting – within a carceral, or prison, setting and for incarcerated populations. Recent research suggests that carceral settings have a higher prevalence of communication disorders among incarcerated populations than in the general population. Given the prevalence of communication disorders within carceral settings, the benefit of addressing those deficiencies through specifically programmed AI bots has the potential to improve a person’s ability to understand, detect, and apply language and speech, and to apply healthy conflict resolution strategies.
Many detention centres, jails, and prisons across Canada are experiencing significant overcrowding and are operating well over their intended capacity. When a person does end up in a carceral setting, failing to address the underlying reasons for them being there becomes an institutional failing. Referring to such settings as correctional makes for quite the oxymoron. But what if the AI-powered learning experience could be customized to provide specialized training to incarcerated populations? Imagine an environment where AI-powered bots can meet the needs of each individual and assist with the development of interpersonal skills and so much more, benefiting incarcerated populations and society at-large.
Jon Stewart and Governor Gavin Newsom on the Incarceration Epidemic.
A 2023 episode titled, “America’s Incarceration Epidemic” on The Problem with Jon Stewart featured Governor of California Gavin Newsom and centered around the status quo of the US’ carceral system. That discussion touched on things like how best to empower inmates and put them in a position to experience success in the real world, what to do about societies “pariah treatment” of inmates once they are released, and the societal implications for getting parole right.
During that discussion with Stewart, Governor Newsom referred to an inmate who had come to the realization of the endless possibilities of life, with the stretching of their mind. That inmate was able to rediscover a healthy sense of self-respect, one which was not dependant on having others accept them. That inmate also told the Governor how they had finally been able to show their mother a newspaper that featured a positive story about them, and it was the first time hearing their mother tell them how proud she was of them.
Building upon what Governor Newsom described as a “stretching of the mind”, ensuring that carceral settings can address things like communication disorders can serve as an antidote against individuals embracing low expectations. Such an approach requires a societal shift from the current thinking around carceral settings, from their design and function, from resembling a factory setting to functioning as learning and development centre that promotes the idea of lifelong learning. Because holding individuals in cages and doing little to address their underlying needs is a deflection of social responsibility by the carceral system—an institution that brands itself as being correctional.
One area for betterment in both Canada and the US, could be the adoption of AI-powered learning experiences that could be leveraged to reduce the likelihood of recidivism. I believe an AI-powered learning experience has the potential to change life at an existential level, whereas a certificate or diploma might only provide a temporary sense of self-respect and self-worth, as an individual transitions out of a carceral setting and into the real world. Such an AI-powered learning experience has the potential to be the “how-to guide” that helps formerly incarcerated individuals live up to all of life’s challenges and to realize the possibilities of a life that could be.