Picture this: A young tennis player, standing on the court, racket in hand, eyes fixed on the other side of the net, but in her mind would be all the training she’d absorbed from the coach – training that wouldn’t have been possible had the coach not been physically present. It’s the guidance, and expertise, of a coach that spells the difference between excellence and mediocrity. Beyond imparting technical skills and knowledge, a coach serves as a guide and motivator, shaping character, instilling discipline and fostering resilience amongst pupils.

The realm of academics is similar. Like a tennis coach who offers feedback on each move, a good teacher notices when a student struggles, and provides explanations and insights. In both scenarios, the human connection is indispensable. The coach or teacher’s physical presence isn’t just about imparting knowledge; it’s about motivation, encouragement and the intuition to recognise when to push harder.

Today, artificial intelligence is propelling education; and especially generative AI can calculate complex mathematical problems or write long essays in seconds. Against this backdrop, where does the teacher stand?

While there is no denying the potential of generative AI, now is the time for teachers to transition from mere tutors to a ‘coach.’ AI cannot replace a teacher in the real world – no matter how advanced, AI lacks emotional intelligence, adaptability and empathy that are central to effective teaching. Let me explain.

Teachers influence students

Being a teacher for over a decade and having taught more than 10,000 students, I can say that a human teacher in the classroom is more than just an individual who imparts education – she is someone students seek inspiration from. For many, a teacher is a role model. An AI tutor cannot fit into these shoes – AI cannot encourage a child to think creatively, only a human can.

Teachers cultivate a secure, encouraging and empathetic learning space for their students, tailoring their approach to accommodate individual needs for optimal knowledge absorption. Recognising diverse learning styles, they customise study materials, making complex concepts easily accessible, especially for visual learners.

Teachers can also actively monitor students’ performance, identify struggles, seek opportunities for added challenges, or adjust the learning approach as needed.

Beyond academics, teachers provide emotional support, boosting the morale of students – an area where AI falls short. Finally, it’s the human touch that can impart values, ethics and character, offering guidance beyond the standard curriculum and contributing to the development of a well-rounded human being.

So, where does this place AI in education?

I believe that AI can be an ally. AI’s skills can be a powerful tool in the hands of a capable teacher, helping simplify mundane tasks and assist them in real time. Some of the ways are:

AI-aided assessments: AI can automate administrative duties such as grading, which is otherwise extremely time- and energy-consuming. The AI system can not only be more accurate, but also simplify assessment in the first place. It can aid teachers in deeply analysing student performance.

AI-powered analytics: AI can look at assignment submissions and assessments through the year, and try to find patterns, which it can communicate to teachers in the form of insightful analytics. Based on such insights, teachers can tailor their teaching style to address individual learning gaps. These analytics can help teachers better understand their class and guide them in making beneficial course-corrections, if necessary.

Developing learning materials: With the help of generative AI, teachers can create study material that is more personalised, engaging, interactive and easy to understand. This can be in the form of text-based notes or presentations using tools that are powered by apps like ChatGPT.

Conclusion

In an AI-powered educational landscape, the role of teachers must elevate. The future of education lies in the synergy between dedicated teachers and the possibilities offered by AI, ensuring that students receive the best of both worlds.