AI in Online Educational Access: Breaking Barriers for Female Learners

Access to education is a fundamental human right; however, girls and women in Afghanistan face numerous restrictions and barriers that the Taliban regime has imposed. Despite these issues, employing technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), provides convenient solutions to facilitate education and empower Afghan girls and women. In this paper, we explore how online educational platforms can assist in providing quality education to Afghan girls and women. It analyzes current digital delivery approaches with incorporated AI technology, including generative AI, Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), chatbots, and SMS-based learning platforms, that are accessible on low-cost devices and do not rely heavily on high-speed internet connections, and outlines suitable pathways to overcome the existing restrictions. By employing AI technology, a personalized learning environment can be created to deliver quality education based on the individual needs of Afghan girls and women. A survey is conducted to explore the feasibility of implementing an online educational platform in Afghanistan, considering challenges such as internet connectivity, availability of electricity, access to digital devices, and time constraints. Based on successfully implemented programs in another region, we listed recommendations for the policymakers, None governmental organizations (NGOs), and stakeholders to introduce customized Online educational platforms for Afghan girls and women.