Inclusive Education: STEM in the Age of Modern AI

This book combines modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inclusive education learning systems methodologies. The book also provides an extensive discussion and methodologies related to STEM education to enhance future educational opportunities.

explores and provides an educational support system for students with special needs within the STEM education framework. The book is composed of five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the evolution of inclusive education during the last two decades. This chapter also discusses the importance of having an equal education and current challenges in inclusive education. Chapter 2 discusses the AI methodologies that can provide solutions to inclusive education. Furthermore, it discusses how modern AI approaches, such as Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), are integrated into inclusive education support systems. Chapter 3 introduces AI-supported systems for analyzing emotional and behavioral aspects in STEM education. Enhancing STEM learning for visual and hearing impairments has been discussed in Chapter 4. Finally, Chapter 5 introduces the Metaverse approach as a methodology for inclusive learning support in distance learning education.

The book is written for a wide audience, such as STEM module learners, teachers, researchers, system developers, medical professionals, and industrial professionals, who interact in modern AI and education support system development.

Eng. H.M.K.K.M.B. Herath is a Lecturer-Higher Grade in Mechatronics Engineering at Sri Lanka Technology Campus (SLTC) and Co-Investigator at the Computational Intelligence and Robotics (CIR) Research Laboratory. He teaches advanced modules including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Engineering, Bionics, and Modern Control Systems while leading pioneering research initiatives. Herath earned his Bachelor of Technology Honors in Mechatronics Engineering from the Open University of Sri Lanka (2019) and completed his Master of Science at the University of Moratuwa (2023). He holds professional memberships as an Associate Member of The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (AMIESL), Associate Engineer with the Engineering Council Sri Lanka (ECSL), and Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MIEEE). His research inspires the next generation of engineers and roboticists through impactful academic and research contributions.

Dr. Lasith Yasakethu is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Sri Lanka Technology Campus, and Principal Investigator of the Computational Intelligence and Robotics (CIR) research lab. He received his BSc. Engineering (First Class Hons.) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Peradeniya (2007) with perfect GPA, earning the prize for best performance in Electronic Communication Engineering. After working as a Core-Network Engineer at Dialog Telecom, he was awarded the Overseas Research Scholarships Award to pursue his PhD at the University of Surrey, UK. His career includes positions at Technicolor Research & Innovations in France, University of Surrey, Kingston University London, and University of Peradeniya. His expertise spans 3D Video Communication, Quality of Experience modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cyber-Security. He has contributed to European Commission projects and is a senior IEEE member with numerous publications.

Dr. B.G.D.A. Madhusanka is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) with over 13 years of service. He earned his bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering from OUSL (2010), M.Sc. in Industrial Automation from the University of Moratuwa (2017), and PhD from the Malaysian University of Science and Technology (2022). His research focuses on Service Robotics, Ambient Assisted Living, Image Processing, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Vision. Dr. Madhusanka received a gold medal as the Best Student in Mechatronics Engineering and led his Soft Robotics Research Team to runner-up status in Harvard University's high school soft robotics design competition (2016). He is a professional member of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), Engineering Council Sri Lanka (ECSL), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Dr. Chaminda Hewage is a Reader in Data Security at Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, and Associate Dean of Research. He is the founding Director of the Cybersecurity and Information Networks Centre (CINC). He received his B.Sc. Engineering (First Class Honours) in Electrical and Information Engineering from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (2004), earning the Gold Medal for best performance, and his Ph.D. in Multimedia Communications from the University of Surrey (2009). After working as a Telecommunication Engineer at Sri Lanka Telecom, he was awarded the Overseas Research Scholarships to pursue his PhD. His career includes research positions at the University of Surrey and Kingston University before joining Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2015. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and senior member of IEEE, IET, and CIISec. His research interests include data security, data protection, and AI/ML applications for protecting personal and business data.