Jakarta, November 13, 2024, PowerNetizen.com – The online tutoring industry in Indonesia is facing unprecedented challenges. Several major online tutoring platforms, once dominant in the e-learning market, have been forced to close down. The main reason behind this decline is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT, which have revolutionized the way students learn and access information.
1. Free Access to Learning Resources
ChatGPT, introduced by OpenAI, has become a new solution for students worldwide, including in Indonesia. With its ability to provide instant and accurate answers, many students are now turning away from paid online tutoring services and opting for free platforms like ChatGPT. This ease of access has made online tutoring services less attractive to consumers.
“If I can get direct explanations from ChatGPT, why should I pay a lot for tutoring?” said Rina, a high school student in Jakarta. Many students share similar sentiments, feeling that they can learn faster and more effectively with the help of AI.
2. Efficiency and Quick Responses
One of ChatGPT’s key advantages over traditional online tutoring is its speed in providing answers. In online tutoring, students usually have to wait for scheduled classes or for tutors to respond. With ChatGPT, answers to questions or concepts can be obtained in seconds.
This has created a challenge for online tutoring services, which rely heavily on human tutors. Although the quality of teaching from professional tutors is still valued, the fact that ChatGPT can provide immediate responses anytime, anywhere, makes it a compelling alternative.
3. Cost Savings
Another reason ChatGPT has outcompeted online tutoring is the cost factor. Online tutoring services often come with hefty fees, especially for intensive exam preparation programs. Meanwhile, ChatGPT offers free services or subscriptions at a much lower cost, making it more affordable for a broader range of users.
Many families are reconsidering their investment in additional education, particularly when alternatives like ChatGPT have proven to be effective in helping students understand course materials.
4. Flexible Learning
ChatGPT also offers students the flexibility to learn whenever and wherever they want, without being tied to a fixed schedule. Students can ask questions whenever they need, whether it’s late at night before an exam or during a study break. This differs from online tutoring services, which often have set class schedules that may not fit students’ needs or preferences.
Siti, a university student in Bandung, noted that she can study more flexibly with ChatGPT. “I can manage my own study time, and I don’t have to be tied down by class schedules that might conflict with other activities,” she explained.
5. Late Adaptation by Tutoring Platforms
While many online tutoring platforms have tried to adapt to technological advancements, most have struggled to compete with the rapid innovation brought by AI like ChatGPT. Some platforms attempted to incorporate AI into their services, but the investment and time required to develop AI at the level of ChatGPT proved too costly.
Many online tutoring companies were ultimately unable to survive, losing a significant share of the market in a short time. Their delayed response to these changes made it difficult to keep up in an industry rapidly shifting towards AI-driven learning.
What’s Next for the Tutoring Industry?
The e-learning industry now stands at a crossroads. Some experts predict that online tutoring platforms will need to innovate further and offer value that AI cannot provide, such as personalized guidance or more in-depth development of social and critical thinking skills.
Meanwhile, ChatGPT and similar AI technologies are expected to continue advancing and integrating into various aspects of education. This suggests that in the future, students may rely more on AI as their daily learning companion.
However, educators and education experts warn that full reliance on AI without human guidance could be a double-edged sword. Aspects such as deep understanding, critical thinking, and interactive discussions remain essential parts of an ideal learning process.
Sources: OpenAI, Education Experts, Student Communities
Written by : Budi Gunawan
