AI won't replace teachers, it will help them: How to use it in the classroom

Artificial intelligence is transforming education and the way teachers prepare their lessons and interact with students.

For example, there are tools developed by Google that help educators create exams, allowing them to dedicate more time to teaching. Even Bill Gates has recognized the power of AI in education.

“AI will be a complete game-changer for teachers and students once the technology matures,” the technology leader stated on his Gates Notes blog.

Sergio Calvo, Vice-Rector of Institutional Relations at the European University and Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Europa Education Group, which operates in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, maintains that training in artificial intelligence is almost mandatory for educational institutions and teachers themselves.

He explains that, when the AI boom began, many students were already familiar with the technology, while teachers felt "a bit lost" when faced with it in the classroom.

The vice-rector also points out that the first thing teachers must do is overcome their fear of artificial intelligence. "They may think it will replace them or that they won't know how to control it, but instead, they must start seeing it as an ally in their daily work," he emphasizes.

How teachers can adopt AI in the classroom

For teachers to adopt artificial intelligence in the classroom and in their duties, they must overcome the fear mentioned by Calvo. Once they identify AI as an ally in their work, the second step is to identify "the best way for it to help them."

This means that teachers must identify which tasks artificial intelligence can support them with.

If grading exams takes too long, if you struggle to generate ideas for preparing a lesson, or if you're unsure of the best way to assess a topic, it's about recognizing those areas where you need additional support and leveraging AI tools as allies to facilitate your work.

Calvo exemplifies this situation by pointing out that the European University has an artificial intelligence committee that teachers turn to to share their experiences and receive guidance on how to apply this technology in their daily work.

The vice-rector comments that one of the most representative cases is the use of AI tools to support the marking of assignments. These solutions perform an initial assessment, allowing teachers to focus on more qualitative aspects of their students' performance.

"This is interesting because AI is making education more human," says Calvo, explaining that this technology frees teachers from bureaucratic and repetitive tasks, giving them the opportunity to offer more personalized teaching.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible to design curricula tailored to the needs of each student and dedicate more time to pedagogical support.

In this scenario, the teacher's role is not diminished, but rather strengthened, as they can focus even more on their students' individual development.

Finally, Calvo points out that incorporating artificial intelligence into education requires teachers to assume greater responsibility, as they must critically analyze the results this technology provides.

Only in this way can they ensure that its use does not negatively affect the teaching and learning process.

"I think the great challenge lies in the ethical use of artificial intelligence, not in the technical aspect, since we can all train ourselves, but in how we manage AI responsibly, and that is where educators must train in this skill"