MANSI BHAMBRI | Dehradun
Teachers need to update themselves with the times and enhance their human touch in order to mitigate the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their profession, experts opined.
Former additional director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and ex-chief education officer of Dehradun, Pradeep Rawat said that nowadays everyone is using AI to resolve various queries. He observed that students frequently rely on AI to solve their problems and receive instant answers related to academics.
However, he strongly believes that if teachers adopt a mechanical or instrumental approach to teaching, AI may pose challenges for them. While AI has not yet significantly impacted the teaching profession, its evolution in the future could potentially change that. To counter the effects of AI, teachers are advised to maintain a human connection with their students, as they can connect emotionally and understand the appropriate types of learning for their students. By enhancing their human touch, teachers can effectively guard against the impact of AI, he said.
“AI has many built-in features that have indirectly begun to substitute teachers for students. However, AI learning does not facilitate conceptual understanding. While AI provides instant answers to student queries, teachers clarify concepts and enhance the overall learning experience. Although AI has not affected the teaching profession so far, it could in the future. Therefore, I advise every teacher to stay updated on new learning methods, latest knowledge and other relevant information to prevent the impact of AI,” said retired education officer Bhupendra Singh Negi.
Similarly, professor and head of the Zoology department at Government PG College in Uttarkashi, Madhu Thapliyal expressed her views regarding the impact of AI on teachers. She said that AI presents challenges for both teachers and students.
AI has impacted the cognitive functioning of students and it is evident that in certain contexts, AI has affected job opportunities for teachers and in future, it can be more. Learning through AI does not provide the satisfaction that comes from teachers, who are essential for clarifying concepts in various subjects.
To combat the potential decline in job opportunities, teachers are urged to keep themselves updated, employ innovative teaching methods and deepen their knowledge. With these efforts, they can successfully navigate the challenges posed by AI, she added.
