AI in Education: Teacher and Student Adaptation

Published Date : 19/08/2025 

Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the classroom, from enhancing teaching methods to raising concerns about critical thinking skills. 

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), advocates argue that it can be a valuable tool for both students and teachers. However, critics warn that it may discourage critical thinking. Many educators are now learning how to integrate AI into their teaching methods. For Jerome Ong, a 5th grade teacher in Ridgewood, New Jersey, AI has significantly changed his approach to teaching. He uses AI tools every week in his classroom and emphasizes the importance of understanding both the strengths and limitations of AI.

Ong teaches his students about AI and demonstrates its shortcomings. He explains, 'If you keep correcting AI, it will eventually admit its mistakes. This helps students understand that AI isn't as smart as they might think.'

### Training Teachers to Use AI

This summer, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic announced a groundbreaking plan to train hundreds of thousands of members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the country's second-largest teachers' union. Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the importance of listening to teachers to ensure AI serves students and society effectively. The $23 million investment will fund virtual and in-person training in New York City.

'AI holds tremendous promise but also presents significant challenges,' said AFT President Randi Weingarten. 'The direct connection between a teacher and their students can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn to harness AI responsibly, teaching and learning can be enhanced.'

Smith believes AI can empower teachers by providing more information and making lesson planning easier. According to a recent survey by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, teachers reported saving nearly six hours a week with the help of AI. Ong supports this view, stating, 'If AI is here to stay, let's figure out how to use it to help our kids learn and grow.'

However, critics raise concerns about cheating and the potential decline in critical thinking skills. Microsoft's own research showed a self-reported decline in these skills when AI was not used responsibly. Former high school teacher and AFT member Lois Weiner argues that teachers need more support within schools rather than an alliance with Silicon Valley.

'There is so much drudgery in the job, but the answer is to improve the conditions of teachers' work,' Weiner said, adding that AI does not address these issues.

Smith maintains that the tech sector should provide tools and empower educators to decide how to use them. 'Ultimately, education should be left to teachers,' he said.

### Changes in Policy

CBS News analyzed shifts in AI policies in the country's largest 20 school districts between 2023 and 2025. The analysis found that while some district policies were unclear in 2023 or did not initially block the use of AI, there is now guidance on how it can be utilized in the classroom. The data can be found below.

The integration of AI in education is a complex issue with both benefits and challenges. As schools and teachers adapt, the goal is to enhance learning while maintaining the integrity of critical thinking and academic integrity. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the main benefits of AI in the classroom?

A: AI can provide personalized learning experiences, save teachers time on administrative tasks, and offer immediate feedback to students, enhancing the overall learning process.

Q: What are the main concerns about AI in education?

A: Critics worry about the potential for cheating, the decline in critical thinking skills, and the over-reliance on technology, which may not fully address the individual needs of students.

Q: How are teachers being trained to use AI?

A: Tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic are investing in training programs for teachers to help them understand and effectively use AI tools in the classroom.

Q: What is the role of teachers in the implementation of AI in education?

A: Teachers play a crucial role in deciding how to use AI tools to enhance learning, ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces the human element of education.

Q: How have school policies on AI changed over the past few years?

A: Many school districts have updated their policies to provide clear guidance on the use of AI in the classroom, addressing concerns and ensuring responsible integration of technology. 

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