The way we teach students, from classroom structures to teaching methods and standardized instruction, has not changed much over human history. Despite schools, colleges and mass education becoming more important for social cohesion and economic development than ever, teaching has stayed remarkably consistent even as other sectors and institutions have been transformed by computers and smartphones.
But now it’s the classroom’s turn to be revolutionized, driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence. This transformation has the potential to reshape education as profoundly as the internet reshaped entire industries.
If properly deployed, AI-powered education tools could deliver high-quality, personalized learning at a global scale. But realizing that potential will require a coordinated effort from educators, institutions, policymakers, and technology providers.
Around the world, education systems are stretched thin. In both wealthy and low-income countries, teachers are having to do more with fewer resources. In the U.S., schools are struggling to recruit and retain staff amid a persistent shortage of math, science, and special education teachers. In emerging economies, student populations are expanding far faster than the supply of trained educators.
