Al to transform education? More likely not much will change

AI is likely to reinforce not overhaul the role of teaching, content mastery and assessments.

- Terence Ho

In the early 1990s, my secondary school teachers used videos and multimedia to introduce new science concepts or supplement instruction.

A mode of teaching considered groundbreaking for its time, teachers were nonetheless on hand to clarify students' doubts and monitor the progress of the class.

Today, the internet offers access to world-class educational resources, yet schools and universities still employ educators. The pattern is clear: technology reshapes teaching methods, but it rarely replaces teachers themselves.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, generative AI has made rapid strides and stirred intense debate in education. New tools are emerging at breakneck speed, raising questions about the future of teaching, learning and assessment. Educators are now grappling with the practical implications of these developments.

While AI is already transforming educational practices, the core pillars of education - teaching, content mastery, and meaningful assessment - are not being dismantled. Rather, they are being reinforced in new ways, becoming even more vital in the AI era.

So amid the introduction of AI into education and the push to help our students become AI fluent, perhaps not much will fundamentally change.

AI impacts teaching in two broad ways: it can enhance how learning is delivered, and it influences what skills will be important for people to learn.

As a learning enabler, AI allows educators to automate routine tasks, develop multimedia content, generate quiz questions, and even create interactive simulations. AI-powered chatbots can provide instant feedback and round-the-clock tutoring, while gamified learning platforms increase student engagement.

However, despite these advantages, AI is unlikely to replace human educators. Teachers do more than transfer knowledge. AI can cajole or nudge, but it is unlikely to elicit fear or inspiration in the way that a human teacher can.