The irruption of AI in education sparks a predictable mix of excitement and anxiety. But as with every technological advance, the truth lies not in Disneyan notions of good or evil — it lies in how we choose to use it.
When used well, AI isn’t about replacing teachers. It’s about supporting them — strengthening the very processes that make great teaching and learning possible.
AI’s Promise: Strengthening What Works
Adaptive learning platforms are already showing how AI can personalise education meaningfully. By analysing where students struggle or excel, these systems adjust learning paths in real time, offering a more responsive and supportive experience. Students who need extra scaffolding receive it; those ready for greater challenge are stretched.
Similarly, intelligent feedback tools offer personalised, immediate support on writing, grammar, and problem-solving. Instead of waiting days for corrections, students can engage in faster feedback loops, building the habits of reflection and improvement that underpin deep learning.
Meanwhile, administrative automation — a hugely underestimated aspect, in my view — is quietly transforming school life. AI can lighten the burden of repetitive tasks like lesson planning, marking low-stakes quizzes, or, dare I say it, report writing. This frees teachers and leaders to focus on what matters most: relationships, thinking, dialogue, and high-quality instruction. In a sector where time is the most precious currency, this shift cannot be overstated.
Accessibility tools powered by AI are also broadening educational horizons. Real-time captioning, translation, and support for students with dyslexia or visual impairments are making learning more inclusive — and bringing the goal of equitable education closer to reality.
Preparation for the Present, Not the Future
Schools that thoughtfully incorporate AI into their processes and teaching won’t simply be “preparing students for the future” — a lazy characterisation that both proponents and critics of technology are prone to. They’ll be preparing them for the present.
Not because of 21st-century hype, but because AI can directly support the best evidence-informed practices we already know matter: supporting spaced recall; combining texts and visuals; blending different types of problems; breaking complex tasks into manageable steps; encouraging consistent, reflective practice.
Augmentation, Not Replacement
In short, the most successful AI in education today is about augmenting human teaching, not replacing it. Where AI gives students and teachers better feedback, smarter support, or more personalised learning, it’s working well. Where it tries to replace the deep human judgement involved in areas like pastoral care, nuanced assessment, or mentoring, it still falls short.
As Daisy Christodoulou notes, while AI can assist in certain mechanical aspects of marking, it still struggles with the deeper qualities that great human assessors bring — qualities like creativity, critical thinking, and contextual judgement. And as highlighted in this TES piece, students themselves should not be seen as passive recipients of technology. Sure, some will cheat, but most want their achievements to be real, earned, and meaningful.
In thinking about AI’s role in education, I find myself leaning toward Steven Pinker’s view of technological progress rather than Jonathan Haidt’s technological cynicism. Pinker reminds us that human progress is not inevitable — it requires reason, reflection, and wise stewardship. Although Haidt rightly cautions against the unintended consequences of poorly governed technology, I worry that advocating for retreat and suspicion alone will not serve education well.
Like every wave of innovation, AI will hold up a mirror that reveals the nature of its users. Those looking for gimmicks or distractions will find them. But those committed to deeper learning, better thinking, and more effective practices will find in AI a powerful — if imperfect — ally.
The challenge, as ever, lies not in the tool itself, but in the wisdom with which we choose to use it.
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Actionable insights on leadership, learning, and organisational improvement
- Thought-provoking reflections drawn from real-world experience in schools and beyond
- Curated resources on effective practice and digital strategy
- Early access to new articles, events, and consultancy updates
- Invitations to subscriber-only webinars, Q&As, and informal conversations
- Clarity, not clutter—you will not be bombarded by emails
Cancel or pause anytime.
Leave a Reply