AI in schools
A tool for learning, not a shortcut.
When used responsibly, AI doesn’t just make schools smarter. It makes them kinder, fairer, and more focused on what really matters: helping every student thrive. In my previous blog, I explored why responsible and ethical AI matters, but I looked at it from a broad perspective. This time, I want to turn our attention to schools, where the risks are significant, but the opportunities are even greater. When used thoughtfully, AI can support learning, reduce administrative burden, and help teachers reclaim time for the human parts of teaching, like mentoring, creativity, and care.
AI as a Teaching Assistant, Not the Teacher
Let’s be clear: Just like i’ve said to anyone who will listen, AI isn’t here to take over your job, and AI most certainly isn’t here to take over classrooms. It’s here to help. Think of it like a GPS… It can guide, suggest, and support, but the teacher is still in the driver seat.
In Australian schools, AI tools are already being used to personalise learning. Platforms like Maths Pathway adapt content to each student’s level, helping teachers identify gaps and tailor support. AI tutors can answer routine questions, freeing teachers to focus on deeper learning, and translation tools like Microsoft Live Captions are helping multilingual students follow lessons more easily.
These tools don’t replace teachers. They amplify them. They make it possible for one teacher to support 25 different learners in 25 different ways, without burning out.
Ask any teacher what they need more of, and you’ll hear one word: time.
This is where AI can arguably be of most benefit. From auto-grading quizzes to drafting differentiated lesson plans, AI can take on the repetitive admin tasks that eat into teaching time. In the UK, teachers at Harris Federation schools used ChatGPT to adapt texts to different reading levels. A job that used to take hours is now done in minutes.
This isn’t about efficiency for efficiency’s sake. It’s about giving teachers more time to do the things only humans can do: build relationships, spark curiosity, and support wellbeing.
Of course, bringing AI into schools isn’t without risks. Children are especially vulnerable to privacy breaches, inappropriate content, and over-reliance on technology. That’s why responsible AI use in education must go hand in hand with strong safeguards.
Clear policies are essential, covering data privacy, content moderation, and academic integrity. Students need guidance on when it’s okay to use AI and when it’s not, while teachers should retain the final say, with AI acting as a consultant rather than a decision-maker.
Just as we teach digital literacy, we also need to build AI literacy… What it is, how it works, and how to use it ethically. Preparing young people for a future where AI is embedded in everyday life will only grow more important as time ticks on.
A Human-Centred Future
The goal isn’t to make schools more robotic. In fact, when adopted thoughtfully, AI has the potential to make education more human.
By using AI responsibly, we can help teachers spend less time on paperwork and more time connecting with students. We can give every child a more personalised learning experience. And we can build a culture where technology supports, not replaces the human heart of education. Personally, I’d much rather my son’s teachers be focus on teaching, rather than administrative tasks.
As we move forward, we need to keep asking the right questions: Are we using AI to help teachers teach better? Are we protecting students’ rights and wellbeing? Are we ensuring humans remain in the loop?