AI in education: A partner, not a replacement.

This blog is based off of this article written by Faulkner Online. This article is about the future of learning and the positive applications of AI in Education.

The use of artificial intelligence in everyday life has rapidly increased in recent years, from the use of voice assistants and streaming recommendations, to personalised learning tools. However, when it comes to education, one question lingers: Will AI replace teachers?

In the article written by Faulkner Online, it reminds us that while students have become increasingly reliant on AI, the answer is a resounding no. Teachers provide us with irreplaceable human knowledge, creativity, and care that no AI can replicate. Educators are able to know when a student is struggling, when the class is engaged, or when encouragement is needed more than an explanation. Furthermore, teachers have the ability to adapt their teaching in real time, offering cultural awareness that AI cannot match. These simple, everyday decisions are what makes teachers essential. AI can't do that. 

Rather than worrying about AI's potential to replace educators, we should encourage them to perceive AI as an additional resource that helps to provide support for both students and educators.

And the truth is, students are already using AI. Whether that be for brainstorming, planning, or even asking simple questions, it’s already established itself as part of how many students study. That’s why weaving AI into the classrooms helps to make learning feel more relevant. The article explains that ‘integrating current technology enhances learning and increases student 'buy-in’ and it’s easy to see why:

• It connects education to student’s everyday reality

• Prepares them for a workforce where AI will be viewed as the norm

• Helps close learning gaps by making complex content easier to understand

Just like how the internet was once considered intimidating, and is now widely accepted, AI is heading down the same path. Ignoring AI doesn’t prepare students for the future, but teaching them how to use it responsibly will.

The real issue isn’t whether AI is going to replace educators, it’s how we can use it to support them. So rather than worrying about it taking over, we should see it for what it is: another tool in the toolkit. Just like a calculator, the internet, or Google maps, it exists to make things easier, but it does not take away the need for human guidance. 

That’s why AI in education should be viewed as a partner, not a replacement.