Associate professor publishes book on AI in STEM education

Xiaoming Zhai, an associate professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, edited a new book that highlights developments in artificial intelligence (AI) in STEM education.

“Uses of Artificial Intelligence in STEM Education” (Oxford University Press, 2024) features interdisciplinary research pertaining to the integration of AI into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The book is co-edited by Zhai and Joseph Krajcik, a professor at Michigan State University.

Divided into four sections and 26 chapters, it covers topics including ethical and inclusive uses of AI in STEM education, AI-based scientific inquiry, AI application design, and more.

“This milestone book is a collaborative effort that encapsulates the groundbreaking work of 65 experts from around the globe,” said Zhai, who also serves as director of the AI4STEM Education Center, a research lab housed in the College of Education.

The book’s publication builds upon several recent contributions to the field. Most recently, the University of Georgia received a $10 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences to establish the National Center on Generative AI for Uplifting STEM+C Education (GENIUS Center), a national center to be housed at UGA and directed by Zhai, with involvement from faculty in the College of Education, the College of Engineering, and the School of Computing.

In 2022, Zhai and Krajcik chaired the International Conference on AI-based Assessment in STEM Education, a conference funded by the National Science Foundation that brought together 41 researchers to discuss five themes surrounding the application of AI to STEM education. Zhai also co-founded and chairs Research in AI-based Science Education (RAISE), a research interest group of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) focused on supporting and communicating innovations in AI to science education researchers.

“This book helps the field to establish a new and solid interdisciplinary research area,” Zhai said.