AI (Artificial Intelligence) is advancing in 2022, and its presence can be seen everywhere, from delivering food to cleaning our homes to teaching us in the classroom.

With this advanced technology in our daily lives, we are becoming more dependent on this man-made technology.

There is no field left where artificial intelligence cannot be seen. Today, every sector became dependent on AI’s expertise, from healthcare to education.

According to a research paper in the International Journal of Innovation Studies, Edtech companies have now developed an Individual Adaptive Learning System. It helps overcome language problems, poor classroom management, and evaluation and grading.

A lot of time can be saved with the help of AI assistance in performing tedious and repetitive administrative tasks like grading, scheduling, and digital file uploading. And artificial intelligence proved effective in these tasks. But when it comes to teaching students, is it right and effective to rely on AI?

Most countries around the world have incorporated AI into their education systems. It provides them with new opportunities and innovations in studies which is effective for both students and teachers.

According to the report, countries like Canada and South Korea collaborated with Chung-Ang University to understand the impact of artificial intelligence on K-12 students. Several pieces of research are underway, and the government is also encouraging policy-making regarding artificial intelligence in schools.

The same report estimates that the AI global market will reach US$312.4B in the next six years. UNESCO also extends its hand in support of artificial intelligence.

It has its advantages and disadvantages in the education system. But despite this uncertainty, if Artificial Intelligence takes a few more years to flourish or if it emerges immediately, schools have embraced the new technology.

Amidst this reliance on technology, a question arises whether human teachers will replace AI teachers in the coming 10 to 20 years?

What Does a Human Teacher Teachs that an AI Teacher Cannot?

According to a survey of expert opinion by Vincent C. Muller and Nick Bostrom says A. I can never stimulate learning and human intelligence.

The survey talks about how technology is perceived to be a threat to humanity and how it will take over humans in the coming years.

Breaking this myth, the survey said that artificial intelligence can’t be smarter than the human brain.

However, no matter how smart artificial intelligence becomes and surpasses human workers, the one thing it cannot provide is psychological support.

Morals, values, and principles can never and will never be taught by machines. Hence human teachers are an important factor in developing the human mind, especially for the students.

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence in Schools

• No language barrier in learning 

One of the great advantages of learning from artificial intelligence is that the problem of diversity will disappear.

It removes current inequality and will promote diversity. Unlike humans, machine instructors can speak more than 20 languages which can assist students from every state and country irrespective of their language. It certainly creates a great sparring environment for the students as they will feel welcome.

It also reduces cultural differences and encourages fairness which will help in the development of the student. Because technology’s main objective is only that everyone should have equal learning opportunities irrespective of region, gender, or language.

Machine learning will surely bring a big revolution in the education sector by providing learning opportunities for all.

• Personalized Learning

As more schools are now focusing on individualized learning for each student, machine instructors can help spread this perspective. It is possible to have only one human teacher available for each student in the classroom, so machine instructors are more beneficial in providing this experience.

They can also collect the data of the students and help them to overcome their weaknesses and enhance their strengths.

• Better for students of special need 

Machine instructors are the boom for differently-abled students and need special assistance. Because it is difficult for schools to hire human trainers and pay close attention to them in the classroom. Machine instructors have made this job easy for them.

There are many software available today that easily recognize speech or difficult writing. This can help them learn the most personalized by paying close attention to them. This will help in providing resources to them in a personalized way.

Drawbacks of Artificial Intelligence in Schools

• Funding

One major shortcoming as to why not every school can fully afford machine learning for its students is funding. In the present time, technology is expensive, and not everyone can afford it.

Most schools are not self-financed or run by the government, so schools cannot spend a lot of money to be completely machine-dependent.

Technology needs skilled professionals to improve it and get it running. If the AI trainer encounters any problem, the help of IT professionals is needed. Also, it needs to update its memory to progress in teaching.

All these require a decent amount to be managed by the school. They cannot even demand it from the parents, nor can they increase the fees of the student. And all this should be taken into account without compromising the quality of education.

• Job Loss 

Unemployment and job loss are one of the major problems with machine teachers. Qualified teachers may lose their jobs because machines are given more advantages over human teachers.

From instructing students to giving grades as done by artificial intelligence, there is no need for a human instructor in a class.

Schools may find Artificial Intelligence beneficial as there will be no time limit problem for them, nor will they get tired. This also reduces the problem of salaries being paid to human instructors. It can also perform multiple tasks, which gives machine instructors bonus points over human instructors.

Given these advantages over human teachers, the job prospects may be affected due to advanced technology.

This has certainly reduced the demand for human instructors, and hence there will not be much demand for teaching assistants.

• Inhibits Brain Development of Children

Students are thriving in the digital age, and technology is nothing new for them as they are born with technologies in their hands.

The problem arises when their psychological development is hampered due to a lack of relationship with their teacher.

Machines can improve the learning experience and make it fun for students. But personal interaction is essential to the development of the human brain. The overuse of machine learning can only have a negative effect on children’s brains.

Similarly, older children also need social interaction to learn, grow and develop. Human teachers not only interact with the students but also scold them for their mistakes.

They understand the psychology of each student and correct their mistakes accordingly. This develops the mind of the students, but if the school is completely dependent on the machine teachers, then it will be difficult to rectify the students’ weak points.

It also enhances their social and collaboration skills and ability to work with others. It will also affect their career when they search for a job and personal life. And to develop this skill along with other students, it is necessary that teachers also encourage it in the students.

Technical Drawbacks 

• Privacy and Security

No matter how promising the technology looks and claims to be secure, the risk of jeopardizing security is always there.

Its main concern is to remove barriers to maintaining privacy. Because it contains so much information, it is easy to misuse or hack to reveal sensitive data. This can affect the reputation of the school along with the changed attitude of parents and their genuine concern for their children.

• Training and Advancements

Along with the need for funds, it also requires continuous advancement, which professional staff members do. They have to work hard to train and update the systems and constantly monitor them.

Only dedicated IT professionals can train and manage machine instructors. Along with them, the teachers also have to learn about the system in case of an emergency.

All these IT professionals are to be recruited by the schools either outright or on a contract basis. And it requires a huge amount of funds to be completely dependent on artificial intelligence.

Is AI Teacher the Future?

Conclusively, we can say AI has a promising future, and since it shares our workload without complaints or personal reasons, what better can we ask for.

In addition to this, it also helps the students to learn at a different pace. It also helps in designing the curriculum, lessons, and grading system. And so we see it as a success in the education system.

But if we talk about whether it completely takes the role of a human teacher and the students need only AI teachers in the classroom, then it will be wrong.

Because it may perform better and have greater potential than a human teacher, it cannot completely subdue the human teacher in the coming 10 to 20 years. It may replace them temporarily or under the guidance of a human teacher but not completely.

Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by ayeshayusuf