By Jorge Mercado Friday, March 14th, 2025

By John Garcia

Imagine a classroom where artificial intelligence (AI) instantly writes essays, flawlessly solves complex math problems, and generates computer code in any programming language. 

Today, AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude make this a reality, fundamentally reshaping education. 

The critical challenge is no longer transferring information but nurturing students’ ability to critically apply knowledge and innovate ethically alongside AI. 

Students must now learn to evaluate information thoughtfully, recognize biases embedded in technology, and approach problems with creativity and ethical awareness. 

With AI performing tasks previously reserved for humans, educators, parents, and society face a choice: resist these changes or embrace AI as a means to foster deeper, more human-centered learning.

THE HUMAN TOUCH

Teachers remain essential precisely because they offer what AI cannot —empathy, nuanced understanding, and authentic mentorship that empower students to think deeply and ethically. 

Genuine education thrives through meaningful educator-student connections, a dynamic that AI alone cannot replicate. 

Although AI quickly provides answers, without thoughtful guidance, students often treat it merely as a shortcut, bypassing the rich critical thinking crucial for authentic learning. 

Dedicated teachers transform AI from a convenient tool into an educational partner, guiding students to ethically evaluate AI outputs, communicate clearly, and cultivate empathy. 

A TEACHER’S ROLE

The real danger isn’t AI replacing teachers but schools failing to proactively prepare students for an AI-driven future. 

Many students already discreetly rely on AI for assignments, unintentionally sacrificing genuine intellectual engagement. 

Without explicit instruction on responsible AI use, students risk stunting their academic growth. 

Ultimately, students’ interactions with AI will determine if it becomes a catalyst for meaningful learning or a crutch that constrains their potential.

Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, addressing these challenges requires a flexible, adaptive framework rather than rigid policies. 

Instead of spending months approving rules that quickly become outdated, schools should adopt dynamic guidelines empowering teachers, parents, and students to critically assess AI tools, navigate ethical dilemmas, and identify systemic biases. 

For instance, schools might regularly host interactive workshops that engage students and parents in discussions about emerging AI technologies and their ethical implications. 

This proactive approach supports ongoing dialogue about responsible AI use.

DECIPHERING AI DATA

AI systems learn from massive datasets often collected indiscriminately from the internet. 

Unfortunately, these datasets frequently overlook or stereotype marginalized groups. 

Facial recognition algorithms, for example, consistently demonstrate biases against women and people of color, highlighting the importance of teaching students to identify and challenge these embedded biases. 

Without careful oversight, hidden biases silently reinforce harmful stereotypes beneath AI’s polished exterior. 

Educators who openly address these issues encourage students to hold technology accountable rather than passively accepting its limitations. 

Involving parents in these conversations further clarifies that AI’s purpose isn’t to diminish academic rigor but to promote creativity, discernment, and advanced problem-solving skills beyond the capabilities of machines alone.

While some perceive AI primarily as a means to automate tasks and save time, it holds far greater potential. 

HOW AI COULD HELP EDUCATORS

By handling routine activities, AI allows teachers to prioritize personalized instruction, spark curiosity, and facilitate collaborative learning. 

Moreover, AI can expose students to diverse perspectives and global viewpoints they might otherwise miss, cultivating empathy and deepening their curiosity. 

Consequently, traditional assessments based mainly on memorization have become increasingly obsolete. 

Instead, educators should create assignments encouraging analysis, collaboration, and innovation beyond AI’s capabilities. 

Thoughtfully integrated, AI becomes a powerful partner that enhances rather than limits human potential.

FINAL THOUGHTS

At this pivotal moment, education’s central mission must be cultivating uniquely human qualities that automation cannot replicate. 

Students still need a strong grounding in core knowledge, but they must also master responsible AI use, critically challenge assumptions, integrate insights across disciplines, and respond creatively and empathetically. 

AI can significantly enrich this process, but only when teachers, families, and school leaders thoughtfully guide its use. 

By embracing this shared responsibility, educators actively shape a future in which technology amplifies rather than diminishes our humanity.

John Garcia is an Assistant Professor of Finance & Analytics at the School of Management of California Lutheran University and a contributing member of the Artificial Intelligence in Education at Oxford University (AIEOU) research hub.