Teaching in the Age of AI ... A Renaissance or the End of an Era?
How AI is redefining the classroom (again)
The rise of AI in education is often described as unprecedented. In many ways, it is—but history offers some striking parallels. Technology has reshaped education more than once.
A look back
In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press broke the monopoly of handwritten manuscripts. Suddenly, books could be mass-produced, making knowledge more accessible to the general public. The impact on education was profound. As one historical analysis points out, "The printing press provided greater access to information for everyone and laid the foundation for the gradual transformation of literacy in society."
Before the printing press, students had to travel to hear lectures or share a single, highly valued copy of a book. Afterward, textbooks and libraries became staples of learning. As books became more affordable and widely available, literacy rates rose.
How did this change the role of teachers?
Teachers were no longer the sole source of knowledge. Instead, their role shifted to guiding students through texts and helping them interpret information. But not everyone welcomed the change—some 16th-century scholars worried that easy access to books might make students intellectually lazy or spread misinformation.
By the late 20th century, the rise of the internet and digital technology once again disrupted traditional education.
In the early 2000s, having a computer with internet access became as essential in the classroom as a chalkboard. Suddenly, a student in a remote town had access to the same information as a student sitting next to a university library.
Today, nearly half of all students (49%) have taken at least one online course or learning experience—a number that skyrocketed with the expansion of broadband and, later, the demand for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2011 and 2021, enrollment in MOOCs surged from around 300,000 to over 220 million.
In 2025, AI feels a lot like the internet did in the late 1990s or early 2000s—full of potential, sparking both excitement and concern, and raising big questions about the future of education.
But just as the printing press didn’t replace teachers (it empowered them to reach more students) and the internet didn’t make schools obsolete (it redefined their role), AI is unlikely to replace educators or schools. Instead, it’s set to reshape them.
A Revealing and Impactful Shift
When OpenAI launched ChatGPT, it quickly made its way into classrooms and study sessions around the world. Students now use ChatGPT as an always-available tutor, asking it to explain complex concepts, generate practice questions, and provide feedback on essays.
A recent survey found that nearly 48% of students use ChatGPT or similar AI chatbots at least once a week for school—an increase of 27 percentage points in just one year. Teachers are also embracing AI: 46% now use ChatGPT weekly, often to streamline tasks like lesson planning and grading.
The availability of on-demand tutoring at this scale is unprecedented; even the most well-funded schools can’t offer personalized support to every student at all times. With AI, many students now have a tutor in their pocket.
Initially, AI adoption in U.S. schools faced pushback. In early 2023, many districts blocked student access to ChatGPT on school networks over concerns about cheating. But by spring, attitudes started shifting. In May 2023, New York City public schools reversed their ban, recognizing that educators need to "teach with AI" rather than avoid it.
But ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool that is reshaping education.
Students are also turning to Gemini 2.0 to tackle various academic tasks. This multimodal AI recently introduced the ability to observe screens and respond in real time. In technical terms, "this system enables remote screen monitoring and cross-device content sharing," essentially allowing AI to act as a virtual lab assistant. Early demonstrations showed Gemini guiding users through software tutorials simply by watching their screens and listening to voice commands.
Google’s NotebookLM is another experimental project worth noting. It allows students and researchers to upload their notes, textbooks, or articles into a personal AI vault. The AI then processes this material and acts as a personalized research assistant.
AI-powered study tools are also on the rise. Language-learning apps like Duolingo now offer AI-driven conversation practice, letting students chat with a bot that corrects their mistakes. Quizlet, a popular flashcard platform, introduced an AI tutor called Q-Chat, which engages students in interactive quizzes. There are also AI tutors designed specifically for subjects like coding, math, and more.
One standout example comes from China—and it’s not DeepSeek. There, an AI-powered tutoring platform called Squirrel AI has scaled personalized learning to an unprecedented level. Across thousands of after-school centers in China, students use Squirrel AI for one-on-one tutoring. The system adapts each lesson to individual needs by analyzing a vast database of student interactions. According to the World Economic Forum, Squirrel AI "currently serves more than 24 million students" and has collected over 10 billion data points on learning behaviors to continuously improve its teaching methods.
Reconfiguring the Role of Teachers
Despite the many questions surrounding AI in education, I firmly believe that teachers are on the front lines of this revolution. At this point, adapting and finding balance amid the chaos and constant change is the best approach.
What a dilemma!
Many educators are finding creative ways to integrate AI into their work. For example, some use AI to support students with learning differences, such as dyslexia or English language learners, by leveraging tools that convert speech to text or provide real-time translations. In fact, according to a 2023 survey, assisting students with special needs was the most common way K-12 teachers used AI. Others use AI to generate test questions, save time on exam preparation, or to automatically adjust reading materials to different proficiency levels.
Forward-thinking educators also see AI as an opportunity to teach new skills. In a world where ChatGPT can draft an essay in seconds, some teachers are shifting their focus to critical thinking, source evaluation, and editing.
However, not all educators feel prepared. Training has not kept pace with technology, creating a significant barrier that limits teachers’ ability to provide high-quality education.
This gap is evident, as more than 70% of K-12 teachers report never having received professional training on AI tools.
As a result, many educators are left to figure things out on their own or avoid AI altogether—which is completely understandable.
As AI becomes more prevalent, the demand for structured training and clear policies continues to grow.
Teachers are asking: How do we address AI and plagiarism? What’s the best way to incorporate AI-driven assignments? Are there ethical guidelines for using student data in AI systems?
These are complex questions that can’t be answered in just a few lines (OpenAI wasn’t even able to create a reliable AI detector). In the meantime, teachers are sharing insights in online forums and professional learning communities, learning from one another’s early experiences.
Perhaps the most widely shared perspective among educators is that AI is a tool, not a teacher. Great teaching has always been built on relationships, inspiration, and mentorship—things an algorithm can’t replicate.
AI might help generate personalized exercises for a student struggling with algebra, but it’s the teacher who provides the encouragement and context that rebuilds a student’s confidence.
The Road Ahead: More Questions Than Answers
At this pivotal moment, it’s clear that AI in education isn’t just a passing trend—it’s the start of a new chapter, as transformative as the introduction of textbooks or the rise of the internet.
A decade from now, classrooms may look entirely different, with AI seamlessly integrated into daily learning in ways we’re only beginning to grasp. The very concept of "school" could evolve—if AI tutors are always available, learning might no longer be confined to a specific time or place but happen anytime, anywhere.
Yet, despite the excitement, this future raises more questions than answers. Will AI truly improve education, or will it bring new challenges like overreliance and misinformation? How do we ensure that the human element remains at the heart of learning, so education doesn’t become a sterile exchange between students and machines?
The impact of AI will likely unfold gradually, with both progress and setbacks. There may be obstacles—a high-profile case of AI misuse in schools that sparks public concern, or simply burnout among teachers and students who need a break from constant technological change. These moments could slow adoption and lead to critical reflection.
As one educator put it: "Will our students use AI? Absolutely. The real question is: Will we guide them to use it responsibly and effectively?"
Around the world, teachers, students, and institutions are beginning to answer that question with creativity and determination. From chalkboards to chatbots, education is being reimagined. If we continue to share knowledge and advocate for equity, AI-powered classrooms could lead to a new era of learning—one that is more personalized, engaging, and globally connected.
It's an interesting space to be teaching in.
The article mentions Q-Chat with I have had students find very beneficial for reviewing concepts in my Earth Science classes. However, recently Quizlet has announced that they're eliminating Q-Chat completely by June of 2025.
Last June, I retired from teaching partly due to the strong push for AI. I taught English. Students learning to write and think don’t need help planning and organizing and thinking critically. If AI does any of this, students will miss out on key parts of their development. You mentioned”can draft an essay in seconds, some teachers are shifting their focus to critical thinking, source evaluation, and editing.”
Each of these are what should be human aspects of writing. If kids never fully develop this thinking, I fear they will grow up without the foundation to think and create and adapt. I reject it in education.