Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education, with 60% of teachers now using it to streamline tasks and enhance learning, according to recent studies. As AI tools like ChatGPT become commonplace, their potential to revolutionise teaching is undeniable, yet questions linger about their long-term impact. Teachers of Tomorrow, an organisation focused on educator development, has outlined the benefits and drawbacks of AI in schools, highlighting its transformative power and the challenges it poses.

Benefits of AI in education

• AI supports teachers with daily tasks. 1 in 3 teachers uses AI for routine schoolwork, such as drafting lesson plans, a time-consuming task. Tools like ChatGPT can generate visualisations, suggest creative teaching methods, or create tailored lesson plans to meet individual student needs. By automating administrative duties, AI frees teachers to focus on classroom engagement and student support, improving their efficiency.
• AI personalises learning for students. Accessible anytime, anywhere, AI enables students to learn at their own pace. Unlike traditional methods, where students rely on teachers for clarification, AI tools provide instant access to resources and answers. For visual learners, AI can deliver customised content, ensuring materials align with their preferences and enhancing their educational experience.
• AI boosts teaching and learning efficiency. By enabling rapid creation of customised lessons, AI streamlines the teaching process. It also aids in analysing student progress, helping teachers identify learning gaps. A 2024 UK study found that many educators use AI to develop interactive lessons, create subject-specific resources, and offer personalised student support, making education more dynamic and responsive.

Drawbacks of AI in Education

• AI may hinder critical thinking. Overreliance on AI could weaken students’ critical thinking skills, a concern already raised in academic discussions. Some students may use AI to complete assignments, passing off the work as their own, which risks stunting their problem-solving and creative abilities. Educators must ensure AI is used as a tool, not a crutch, to preserve these essential skills.
• AI raises job security concerns. While AI’s automation of tasks boosts productivity, it sparks fears of job losses in education. As AI handles administrative and some teaching functions, certain roles could become obsolete. However, human interaction between teachers and students remains irreplaceable, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to AI integration.
• AI implementation is costly. Deploying AI tools in schools requires significant investment, from purchasing software to training teachers. These costs could exacerbate inequalities, as wealthier institutions adopt AI while underfunded schools struggle. Ensuring equitable access to AI resources is a pressing challenge for policymakers and educators.

Balancing innovation and caution

A spokesperson for Teachers of Tomorrow offered a measured perspective on AI’s role in education: “AI has been making its way into people’s everyday lives for a while now and it seems inevitable that we’ll see it being used more often. It’s easy to see that AI can be a great asset to the education industry, allowing teachers to spend more time with students due to AI tools helping with administrative tasks and giving students the opportunity to personalise their learning practices. But on the other hand, it could potentially do more damage to students’ skills, like creative and critical thinking, and problem solving. Educational institutions should carefully consider all potential advantages and disadvantages of AI before making the decision to implement it.”