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Artificial Intelligence

Here’s How Teachers Really Feel About the Rise of AI in K-12 Education

By Jennifer Vilcarino — September 16, 2025 1 min read
English teacher Casey Cuny, center, helps a student input a prompt into ChatGPT on a Chromebook during class at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025.
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Artificial intelligence has been rapidly changing the K-12 education landscape—from providing opportunities for personalized learning to assisting with nonteaching tasks. As the new school year kicks into gear, how do ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog expect to see AI incorporated into their school and classes?

EdWeek reporting shows that not many schools have policies in place to guide AI use just yet, although it’s a top-of-mind issue for ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog and policymakers. According to a recent survey of state education technology officials, 40% of respondents said their states had released AI guidance, and supporting professional development on the issue was a top priority.

Additionally, ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog remain divided on whether AI should be used in the classroom at all. There is concern among some ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog about how AI may affect students’ critical thinking skills, as well as their ability to experiment and learn.

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Art teacher Lindsay Johnson, second from left, teaches students how to use AI to ask Canva for help during a summer class at Roosevelt Middle School on June 25, 2025, in River Forest, Ill.
Art teacher Lindsay Johnson, second from left, teaches students how to use AI to ask Canva for help during a summer class at Roosevelt Middle School on June 25, 2025, in River Forest, Ill. Dealing with artificial intelligence issues in education is the top priority for state education leaders for the first time, according to an annual survey.
Nam Y. Huh/AP

Still, most ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog feel as if the use of AI in education is inevitable. In an informal Education Week LinkedIn poll with 700 votes, 87% of respondents said AI will affect the classroom, and 7% said it would not.

Educators shared more details about their opinions on AI’s impact in the comment section. Here are some of their responses, edited lightly for clarity.

Some ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog fear AI will have a negative impact

It will be banned within three years once test scores plummet. It can't be controlled, and 80% will use it to cheat.
It has negatively impacted the general public for sure. I hope it doesn't enter the schools next.

Totally against it as an educator. If anything, I’m pulling BACK on technology in my classroom this year because it’s becoming more of a hindrance.

See Also

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump participates in the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 4, 2025.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump participates in the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 4, 2025. The first lady is calling for students and ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog to use AI to help solve community problems.
Yuri Gripas/Sipa via AP

Other ÌÇÐ͝Âþvlog are embracing AI

I’m counting on it [having an impact]. And designing PD about exactly that.
Students are already using it, some to help them study and others to outright cheat. I've used it to help with planning and organizing ideas and even for inspiration sometimes. It's here now and we can't pretend that it isn't, but we can show students how to use it in a productive way.
AI will shape classrooms in ways we can’t ignore. The opportunity? Freeing teachers from busywork so they can focus on relationships, creativity, and student growth. The challenge? Keeping humanity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness at the center.

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