As AI Transforms Education, Are Schools Prepared for the Consequences?

By Gianni Montalvo | December 2, 2025

A new AI chatbot helps Maria, a struggling algebra student, get instantaneous, round-the-clock tutoring. Meanwhile, in a different classroom, a teacher utilizes AI software for lesson planning, allowing her more time for one-on-one student support. These examples only illustrate a small fragment of what artificial intelligence is used for today, as they mask a deeper, ongoing problem in this supposedly perfect platform: as innovators upgrade the digital robot, will humans become more dependent on it, or rather, will we encounter an ethical dilemma where we face a trade-off between convenience and maintaining our own critical thinking abilities?

Many experts argue that the integration of AI in classrooms presents several key advantages for both students and educators. For students, AI-powered tools can provide personalized learning experiences, adapting to individual strengths and weaknesses. For teachers, AI can streamline administrative tasks and offer valuable insights into student progress, allowing for more targeted support. Cooper B, a student at Francis Scott Key, a K-8 school in Baltimore, shared his experience using artificial intelligence in his studies. 

He explained that he “studiously uses AI, as it provides scholars with active recall tests that foster a more efficient study process,” highlighting the role of AI in making study sessions more productive. This also reflects a broader trend with students across the nation, whom are now shifting towards technology driven learning, utilizing platforms such as TurboLearn or Gizmo, which provide built-in tutors for students who cannot afford a personal one, as well as an automatic note converter, which transforms a “peer’s quick jotting into a full-blown practice test, almost instantaneously,” Cooper said.

Before we delve more into the controversial topic of AI applications in education, we must interpret and understand the history and technological purpose of this software. To put it simply, the concept of artificial intelligence began with Alan Turing’s theoretical work in the 1930s, in which he developed an “abstract computing machine consisting of a limitless memory and a scanner that moves back and forth through the memory, symbol by symbol, reading what it finds and writing further symbols,” according to an article on the history of artificial intelligence from Britannica, an online encyclopedia. This description laid the foundation for the earliest computer programs that could generate human-like reasoning by proposing a conceptual machine that could execute any problem. 

Eventually, it led to more advanced AI systems capable of not only accomplishing instructions but also learning from experience and retaining information.

Beyond individual experiences, the advantages of AI in education are truly remarkable. Teachers, too, can benefit from the integration of artificial intelligence in the classroom. 

By automating time-consuming tasks such as grading and lesson planning, AI frees up valuable time, allowing educators to focus on what truly matters: connecting with and inspiring their students. Many educators express a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction, knowing they can dedicate more energy to fostering creativity and critical thinking.

In the midst of the global COVID-19 quarantine, artificial intelligence worked largely behind the scenes, often unnoticed by the human eye. Sophisticated models were developed to address the pandemic’s multifaceted challenges, from tracking virus transmission rates to managing the distribution of medical supplies. AI also became integral to the rapid development of drugs and vaccines, analyzing genetic sequences almost instantly. For coronavirus, these programs quickly identified the spike protein as the optimal target for vaccines like Pfizer’s and Moderna’s, enabling the immune system to respond efficiently. The urgent and unprecedented needs of the pandemic spurred swift AI innovation and heightened demand for technology capable of processing vast data sets, predicting trends, and operating with remarkable speed and efficiency.

As these developments illustrate, artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool in modern society, as many industries now rely on it for logical and predictive decision-making in areas once inaccessible to human workers. In addition to its widespread adoption, this tool offers significant advantages to businesses and individuals alike. 

Given the contributions of AI in crisis management, it is important to consider the many additional benefits this technology brings to society.

When Algorithms Fall Short

While AI may save teachers time on grading, what is the true cost when algorithms begin to shape the curriculum, reinforce biases, and potentially misinform an entire generation of students? Over-reliance on seemingly helpful AI software risks the loss of crucial literary and thinking skills, which are essential to maintaining a successful academic record, and the increase in academic dishonesty. 

“[Students are] losing their personal touch when it comes to writing assessments, as several free-to-use apps often offer editing services that can easily take their writing from below-grade level to an acceptable A,” Cora N., a student at Francis Scott Key, said.

Cora’s perspective highlights a growing concern among educators and students alike: as AI tools become more accessible, the temptation to rely on them for quick fixes can undermine genuine learning. Moreover, these platforms often devalue authentic papers, as generated content can bypass the cognitive labor, critical thinking, and research skills required to produce a well-thought-out essay.

Another significant drawback is the potential loss of personal connection in the classroom. As teachers and students increasingly interact with AI systems instead of each other, meaningful relationships and mentorship opportunities may diminish. For instance, if a student primarily receives feedback from AI rather than a teacher, they might miss out on personalized encouragement or advice tailored to their unique challenges. 

Research Students and teachers feel that AI-driven learning is ‘monotonous’ and misses the ‘emotional warmth’ of human interaction, according to a 2024 research study by professors from Wenzhou University.

“This software takes away from a vital learning experience and prohibits teachers from knowing where their students need help,” Cora said.

Many educators across America face the challenge of students using sophisticated writing generators, which makes it difficult to assess their true level of comprehension. Students who rely on technology can fall behind on exams that do not permit its use, such as standardized or closed-book tests.

To conclude, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence in education poses a threat to student academic performance and undermines the crucial student-teacher relationship, which outweighs any benefits from personalized learning or automated feedback. As we stand on the threshold of an AI-driven future, the final thought is one of caution and optimism. The enduring notion on artificial intelligence is that its trajectory promises significant advancements in efficiency and innovation, while simultaneously demanding our careful attention to the profound risks of ignorance, misinformation, and job displacement.