OFFSTONE JUNE EDITION 2025

45 BRIDGING THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATION GAP: NAVIGATING AI IN EDUCATION AND THE SECOND DIGITAL DIVIDE By: Professor Dr. Rozhan Mohammed Idrus rozhan@usim.edu.my The author is a retired Professor from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and currently serves as an Honorary Professor at the School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). He holds a PhD in Solid State Physics from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and is recognised for his contributions to Open and Distance Learning (ODL), e-Learning, and educational technology. In 2005, during his keynote address at Sakarya University, Turkey, he introduced the concept of "technogogy" to the field of education. ABSTRACT This contribution critically analyses the escalating communication crisis in the digital age, focusing on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. It explores how the second digital divide—centred on digital literacy rather than access—exacerbates existing inequalities. The discussion addresses the risks of algorithmic bias, ethical concerns, and the diminishing role of human interaction in learning. Introduction The digital age, once celebrated for democratising access to information, now faces a profound communication crisis. While technological advancements—particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI)—have revolutionised education, they have also raised pressing concerns about equity, comprehension, and human connection. The rapid deployment of AI tools in classrooms and online learning platforms is altering the nature of teacher-student interactions