*This is Part 4 of a series on AI in education. To read from the start of the series, see *Part 1.
As soon as people became familiar with the name ChatGPT, they also became familiar with a question that often accompanies talk of AI:
Will AI replace teachers?
I know my answer to that question (a resounding “Never!”), but people keep posing the question nonetheless. To bring in another voice on the matter, I had the pleasure of interviewing an expert on this topic. Kristy Venne served for 20 years as a K-12 public [education](https://www.psychol…
*This is Part 4 of a series on AI in education. To read from the start of the series, see *Part 1.
As soon as people became familiar with the name ChatGPT, they also became familiar with a question that often accompanies talk of AI:
Will AI replace teachers?
I know my answer to that question (a resounding “Never!”), but people keep posing the question nonetheless. To bring in another voice on the matter, I had the pleasure of interviewing an expert on this topic. Kristy Venne served for 20 years as a K-12 public education teacher, principal, and district administrator, and she now connects changemakers in education, government, and industry as a workforce consultant who is helping stakeholders navigate our new AI-rampant world.
Jenny Grant Rankin: What do you say to people who are concerned that AI will replace teachers?
**Kristy Venne: **As we enter the age of student agency, young people have unprecedented access to information. This shift can feel unsettling, since learning no longer depends on teachers delivering content. However, teaching has never been solely about sharing information. The true value of teachers lies in their ability to build relationships and create safe, supportive environments where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Learning is social. Teachers establish safe learning spaces, develop confidence and resilience, and facilitate respectful and healthy behavior between students. They teach students how to learn—not just what to learn. School is not just a place to consume knowledge—it’s a place where future citizens are shaped. As artificial intelligence use increases, the value of human relationships, especially those during the formative K-12 education years, will become increasingly valuable. Teachers, though their role is evolving with technology, are essential to the education process.
JGR: What risks are schools running if they ignore AI?
KV: AI is no longer something schools can avoid. The decision for schools now is HOW they will engage with AI. If schools or classrooms ban AI, they risk students continuing to use it without guidance and becoming artificially intelligent. This creates a missed opportunity to teach responsible, ethical, and effective use.
A better course of action for schools is to approach AI with transparency—together with staff, students, and families—to make informed decisions on AI use. Through careful research, policy, and communicating the “why” behind actions, schools can build trust and best prepare students for the future.
JGR: How can teachers begin using AI?
**KV: **Start with a growth mindset and curiosity. Before using AI with students, teachers can experiment with it for their own work. For example, AI can develop lesson plans, design differentiated instructional materials, or provide strategies to support diverse learning needs. It can even serve as a coach to offer personalized feedback to teachers to improve their practice. Connecting with other teachers who use AI can offer inspiration and motivation. As teachers explore AI, they should be aware of district policies and allowable tools and prioritize keeping student data secure.
JGR: How can schools best prepare students for AI in the workforce?
**KV: **AI is already transforming industries, and this disruption is increasing. Schools play a critical role in helping students navigate these changes. Preparing students for the future of work goes beyond just teaching them to use the current tools. It’s about protecting their ability to think and learn on their own, while helping them to become fluent in AI as creators with agency. It’s about fostering the development of the skills and mindsets needed, regardless of how technology continues to change. These include adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and many more—sometimes known as “human skills” or “durable skills.”
The best way to develop these skills is through hands-on, real-world learning experiences where students can practice, make mistakes, and grow in a safe environment. Thoughtful integration of AI in the classroom can provide students with increased control and personalization in their learning. This can establish a solid lifelong foundation and love for learning that will be necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
JGR: How can we keep students safe from AI?
**KV: **Safety begins with education. Educators, students, and families need to understand how AI works, the risks, and how to use it responsibly. As schools identify tools and policies for safe and effective AI use, they should proactively keep teachers, students, and families informed to create a consistent understanding and partnership.
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Teachers can model healthy AI use, set clear expectations, and openly discuss the opportunities and challenges with students. By empowering students to understand how it works and how to safely navigate AI tools, teachers can leverage the technology to increase learning. This ultimately has the potential to free up their time to focus on what is most important—students.