Will AI Revolutionize Education????? Certainly it has the potential-

- Kritika Sehgal

As someone who has taught Grades 6 to 10 science in India before moving to Canada, I’ve always been curious about how technology shapes learning. In the recent class debate (debate 3), we discussed whether AI technologies will revolutionize education for the better and I am glad that many points of claim really resonated with my own.

Man Watching AI Presentation in a Conference Room

Teagan and Sheila spoke for the motion, and Jessalyn and Daegan argued against it. Both teams gave amazing points, but as someone who has seen students struggle with one-size-fits-all teaching methods, I believe that AI has the power to transform education in powerful ways!

What the “Agree” Side Said And Why It Resonated With MeOpposition sides shake hands agree compromise

Teagan and Sheila highlighted how AI can personalize learning, making it possible to meet each student’s needs, something I struggled to do in a crowded Indian classroom! One article they shared from the Gates Foundation explained how AI tools can support teachers by saving time on tasks like grading, while giving detailed feedback to students. How helpful would that have been when I had 100 notebooks to check every weekend!

In their opening video, they explained how tools like Khanmigo or adaptive quizzes can give students a more tailored experience. The Springer research article also confirmed this that AI helps improve learning outcomes, especially in large classrooms or underserved areas.

Another great point was from the U.S. Department of Education AI Report (Ed.gov), which showed how AI can promote equity and accessibility. As a teacher, I had students who couldn’t afford tuitions. AI could have offered them free, personalized help.

They also shared a helpful podcast explaining both challenges and huge opportunities in AI. I totally agree here that we need to use it with caution, but not fear.

Here’s a TED Talk I found very inspiring:

How AI could save (not destroy) education | Sal Khan

It shows real examples of how AI like GPT tutors can make learning exciting and personalized, similar to having a personal assistant for every child.

Now comes the flip side of the coin-

What the “Disagree” Side Shared/ Concerns We Can’t IgnoreYoung woman making a rejection pose a solid background

Jessalyn and Daegan made some excellent points too. Their opening video warned that students are using AI to cheat and I have heard teachers in Canada worry about this too. One article they cited from the University of Illinois discussed how AI could widen the digital divide and replace human judgment in important decisions. That’s scary ofcourse.

They also mentioned ProQuest, highlighting risks like misinformation and student dependency on machines.

Their YouTube video by BBC World Service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjn9T_fuUw) argued that AI might reduce deep thinking. That made me pause and think!!!!! We definitely don’t want our students to become lazy thinkers.

But here’s the thing, these are not reasons to ban AI altogether. Instead, we should teach digital responsibility and integrate AI wisely. Just like we teach safe lab experiments in science, we can guide students to use AI ethically.

Here come my Final thoughts message written on yellow metal sign on blurry wheat field background. Conceptual final thoughts symbol. Copy space.

When I reflect on my experience as a teacher in India, I wish I had access to tools that could support struggling learners, spark curiosity, or help me balance my heavy workload. AI can be that helping hand,  not a replacement, but a partner in education.

I believe AI has potential to revolutionize education but only if we train teachers, set ethical guidelines, and use it as a tool, not a shortcut. I call out here, Let’s prepare our students not just to use AI, but to lead with it.

References

2 thoughts on “Will AI Revolutionize Education????? Certainly it has the potential-”

  1. Hi Kritika!
    Thank you for your thoughtful reflection! I loved hearing how you were able to compare your personal teaching experiences in India to the points discussed in the debate. Researching the side against AI usage opened my eyes to the red flags we can’t ignore as educators to continue to empower our students while still protecting them. To use your words, how are you going to try to make AI a partner in education moving forward? Are there certain tools you are excited to try?

  2. Hey Kritika, I agree! We need to catch up as educators on how to teach our students to use these tools safely, responsibly, and ethically. The challenge is the rate of change we are experiencing. It is all happening so quickly that we have our heads spinning just trying to figure out what’s going on. I feel like bans on AI and cell phones are our way of saying, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, what’s going on here? Let me catch my breath and figure this thing out!” But tech isn’t going to pump the breaks and wait for teachers to catch up, so we are going to have to figure out a way and fast. That is the real challenge, I feel. I am excited about the opportunities AI can have for potentially closing some learning gaps and also lightening the load on teachers. I just wish everything could slow down just a little. I think educators are tired of this race. I know I am sometimes!

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