Finnish Students Embrace AI in Physics Lessons
February 27, 2025
Students in Finland are providing positive early reviews for a new artificial intelligence (AI) teaching agent. The “metacognitive AI agent,” or MAI, is designed to encourage independent problem-solving rather than provide direct answers, a key distinction from many traditional AI applications.
Developed by the University of Oulu’s Hybrid Intelligence research program the MAI is currently being piloted at Ritaharju Upper Secondary School. Designed to strengthen learning skills, this system, which combines machine learning with human sciences, is being used in 12- and 13-year-old students’ physics lessons. The program is the first of its kind to be introduced into a classroom setting.
“It doesn’t give the answer but helps [us] to understand the question. This way of learning also helped to remember the learned things better,” the students noted in their feedback. This focus on understanding, rather than immediate answers, is central to MAI’s design, according to researchers at the University of Oulu.
Professor Sanna Järvelä, Leader of the Hybrid Intelligence program at the University of Oulu, explained, “Hybrid Intelligence combines human strengths with AI and develops intelligent systems to enhance human intelligence rather than replace it. This ensures that AI does not replace learning or make the learner lazy. We aim for equal cooperation between humans and AI so that the unique qualities of humans can flourish.”
How MAI Works in the Classroom
The AI agent works by prompting students to think critically about their work and helps them identify any challenges they may be encountering. Joni Lämsä, a researcher at the University of Oulu, noted that AI applications that simply provide answers can hinder the learning process, as students become less engaged. “The idea is that AI helps students recognize the challenges in their current work. This helps students figure out how to proceed,” he said.
The pilot project’s early stages have proven successful. Specifically, students have reported feeling they received more personalized assistance than in regular classes. The students also said that they discussed the topics more during the lessons. The AI also improved group work dynamics. “If someone is falling behind in group work, MAI points it out. This way, we notice it and discuss the matter more with everyone in the group,” feedback from the students said. According to the physics teacher at Ritaharju School, the students accepted the AI agent well after the initial surprise. The teacher also appreciated MAI’s support: “The AI paces and guides the students’ work even when I don’t have time.”
Pioneering Educational Advancement
Finland, renowned for its consistently high ranking in the education sector, continues to be at the forefront of educational innovation. The Multidisciplinary Hybrid Intelligence program at the University of Oulu continues this tradition with its focus on blending human and artificial intelligence. The University’s strong background in machine learning and computer vision, coupled with its role in training teachers, has enabled it to explore how AI can benefit education in a human-centered approach.
The pilot project’s positive results are paving the way for further research and development in the field, potentially reshaping the landscape of education in the future.
