AI in Education: World Economic Forum Response
- Junior Walker
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 23
There’s a quiet revolution happening in classrooms around the world, not with robots taking over or virtual tutors replacing teachers, but in the way we think about education itself. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into our daily lives, and for educators, this shift isn’t just about tools. It’s about purpose.
Why do we teach? What do we really want students to learn? And how do we empower teachers in a world where ChatGPT can write essays and solve equations in seconds?
These aren’t theoretical questions anymore. They’re urgent, human, and deeply relevant to every classroom, every teacher, and every student.
As the World Economic Forum and organisations like Teach For All and the LEGO Foundation suggest, the rise of AI is pushing us to reimagine not just what education looks like, but why it exists in the first place.
And maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Beyond the Old Way: Teaching in the Age of AI
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. AI tools like ChatGPT have thrown a curveball into the traditional classroom. Essay questions? Solved in seconds. Coding homework? Done by bots. Even creative writing is now up for grabs.
It’s no wonder that students and teachers alike are saying: “We can’t keep doing things the old way.”
But here’s the beautiful part...that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The truth is, education systems across the globe have long needed transformation. Not just more tech, but more humanity. More curiosity, connection, and critical thinking. And AI might just be the spark we needed to get serious about that change.
A Teacher’s View: Stories from the Front Lines
Let’s take a moment to step into real classrooms and hear from real teachers.
In Barcelona, former teacher Quim Sabría, now co-founder of Edpuzzle, sees AI as a tool that can amplify teacher productivity. That's whether it’s lesson planning, differentiation, grading, or parent communication.
In Lagos, Nigeria, Oluwaseun Kayode is witnessing a growing wave of teachers using AI to identify literacy levels, spot learning gaps, and personalise learning for every student.
And in Illinois, Diego Marin, an 8th-grade maths teacher, calls ChatGPT a “personalised 1:1 tutor, ” a tool that gives students support right when they need it.
These stories aren’t about replacement. They’re about reimagining what it means to teach using AI to free up the parts of the job that drain energy, so teachers can invest more in what lights them up.
AI as a Teaching Partner — Not a Threat
Let’s face it, teaching is one of the hardest, most meaningful jobs in the world.
On average, teachers work 50+ hours a week, but less than half of that time is spent in direct interaction with students. The rest? Marking, planning, meetings, emails, data collection… the list goes on.
Now imagine this: an AI tool that can draft lesson plans, generate multiple-choice quizzes, or even give initial feedback on writing assignments, all in minutes.
That’s not a pipe dream. It’s already happening.
And it means something big: Teachers can finally get back to teaching, the real kind. The face to face, soul to soul kind. The “I believe in you” kind.
That’s the magic AI can enable, if we let it.
The Equity Question: Who Benefits From AI in Education?
Of course, AI in education isn’t a silver bullet. And it’s not free from risk.
Without careful planning, AI can reinforce bias, widen the digital divide, and leave behind the very students it promises to uplift. That’s why we need to build these systems with care, inclusivity, and equity at the centre.
The World Economic Forum outlines five principles we should all take seriously:
Co-creation: Involve diverse educators in building AI solutions that reflect local cultures and actual classroom needs.
Easy entry points: Make AI tools accessible, intuitive, and helpful for reducing admin, not adding more tech stress.
Digital literacy: Ensure students and teachers understand AI and have the tools to use it responsibly.
Best practice sharing: Showcase stories of teachers using AI to amplify student voice and agency.
Innovation and adaptation: Support teachers to experiment, grow, and lead with AI, not be led by it.
If we do this right, AI won’t just serve the privileged few. It’ll become a bridge to equity, creativity, and opportunity for all.
The Real Skills Students Need (And AI Can Help Develop)
Here’s a truth we don’t say enough: memorisation is out. Critical thinking is in.
In a world where information is everywhere and generative AI can summarise Wikipedia faster than we can blink, education must shift from knowledge delivery to skill development.
Students need to learn how to:
Think critically
Solve complex problems
Collaborate effectively
Cultivate empathy and well-being
Navigate ambiguity and change
Interestingly, AI, when used wisely can help foster these very skills.
For example, asking students to analyse AI-generated content for bias, error, or tone can develop media literacy and ethical reasoning. Using AI to brainstorm ideas or role-play scenarios can spark creativity and collaboration.
As Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Elias Blinkoff point out, tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly powerful for promoting deep, engaged learning if students are guided to use them that way.
The role of the teacher? Not as the “sage on the stage,” but the guide on the side helping students curate, question, and connect the dots.
Rethinking the Role of the Teacher in an AI World
If you’re a teacher reading this, you might be wondering: Where do I fit into this AI powered future?
The answer: right at the heart of it.
As Vriti Saraf, founder of K20 Educators, puts it: “The less students need educators to be the main source of knowledge, the more educators can focus on developing the ability to guide, critically assess learning, and help students gain skills that are more important than memorising information.”
You are the mentor, the curator, the relationship builder, the critical voice that AI can never be.
And that’s why we must empower teachers, not with more pressure, but with better tools, smarter systems, and a seat at the table when education is being redesigned.
A Shared Future: What Happens Next?
We’re in a moment of possibility. A rare window where the world of education can pivot from outdated, industrial-era models to something truly human centred, flexible, and meaningful.
But it won’t happen automatically. It’ll take:
Visionary leadership
Collaboration between policymakers, teachers, technologists, and communities
Investment in training, infrastructure, and inclusive design
Courage to challenge what’s always been done and build something better
Let AI take the repetitive tasks. Let it assist with planning. Let it offer ideas and feedback.
But let’s never let it replace the heart of teaching: human connection, growth, and inspiration.
Final Thoughts: Teach With AI, Not Against It
If we embrace this moment, AI in education won’t be a threat, it will be a gift. A chance to reimagine the role of the teacher, reignite joy in the classroom, and equip students with the skills they need for a future we can’t yet see.
This isn't about man versus machine. It’s about teachers leading the way, with AI as a tool in their hands rather than a master over them.
Because no matter how smart AI gets, it will never be able to do what a great teacher does every day:
Teaching with heart. Teaching with purpose, and teaching to transform lives.
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