Experts Say Artificial Intelligence Will Replace Time, Not Teachers
Debates over whether artificial intelligence (AI) tools will replace teachers are once again at the forefront of discussions in the education sector. However, experts argue that the real issue is not whether technology will take over teachers’ roles, but how teachers choose to use AI in their work.
According to Professor Ingrid Guerra-López, Dean of the College of Education at George Mason University, AI should not be seen as a “teacher substitute” but rather as a powerful “classroom assistant” that helps to ease teachers’ workloads. She recalled that similar predictions were made in the past about radio, television, calculators, and the internet rendering teachers obsolete, adding, “None of them replaced teachers; on the contrary, they made their roles even more critical.”
Guerra-López noted that while AI can accelerate certain processes, deciding which tasks truly matter and guiding students to think critically remain responsibilities that only humans can fulfil.
The greatest potential of AI, she explained, lies in saving teachers’ time. In a period marked by severe teacher shortages, even gaining half an hour a day could reduce the risk of burnout and make the profession more sustainable.
When used appropriately, AI can lead to better teaching quality, more time for personalised support, and lower stress levels among teachers. Yet, for this to happen, teachers must develop AI literacy, and professional development programmes need to be aligned with new technologies.