How to ensure AI will be a net positive for the educator profession

If AI has been on your mind lately, you’re hardly alone. Educators are thinking about it, too. According to McGraw Hill’s recent Global Education Insights Report, many teachers can see its potential: fewer administrative tasks for them, better outcomes for their students. But when it comes to addressing a top concern — supporting learners’ mental and emotional well-being — they’re not so sure AI is up for the job.

In a recent webinar for McGraw Hill employees, Dylan Arena, Chief Data Science and AI Officer, shared his reaction to the report. He explored ways AI can help teachers right now, why it’s important for educators to stay flexible with technology, and the value of building tools that strengthen the student-teacher connection. Below are some clips from that employee webinar.

Q: Can the time teachers save with AI actually help them tackle behavioral challenges in the classroom?

Q: Do you see AI overall being a net positive for the educator profession?

Q: As McGraw-Hill develops new AI tools, how are we thinking about ways to reduce administrative burdens for educators while still nurturing meaningful connections with students?

For more from Dylan Arena, visit our Ideas in Education blog: “Your chatbot is not your teacher: Choosing between two plausible paths for AI in education”