Jan. 21, 2026
By Arianna Delgado
Staff Writer
Teachers work incredibly hard to reach their positions, spending years learning and studying. So, when they rely on artificial intelligence, it raises the question: What was all that preparation for? The effort and skill they invest in developing their craft are diminished when they turn to AI for tasks that once required knowledge and expertise.
The main problem with teachers using AI is accuracy. Since it cannot fully grasp the methods, processes or explanations teachers expect from their students, AI may mark an answer correct even when required steps are missing or mark it wrong if it interprets the work differently than the teacher would.
When teachers employ AI for grading, they become less familiar with their students’ abilities, ideas and common errors. Consequently, they lose their connection with them, as they have less reason to assist, communicate and build meaningful relationships.
Some teachers use AI to create assignment instructions or develop rubrics, which is also problematic because generic tasks generated by AI may not align with teachers’ goals or the students’ needs and skill levels. Assignments and rubrics should reflect a teacher’s knowledge and understanding of their students, rather than simply being copied from a computer. Overdependence on AI for these foundational tasks undermines educational quality and creates a disconnect between what teachers expect and what students actually learn.
Additionally, AI can create a double standard that damages trust and respect between students and faculty. Many teachers tell students not to depend on AI, calling it dishonest or unreliable, so when teachers use AI themselves, it sends a mixed message. It is unreasonable and unfair to forbid students from using AI if their teachers rely on it to handle their own work.
Furthermore, teachers’ use of AI can infringe on students’ privacy because many AI platforms do not protect users’ data. Most AI programs store or analyze whatever is typed into them, which means students’ assignments, creative works and personal reflections could be viewed, learned from or used by the system. This raises serious privacy concerns, as students may not have agreed to share their writing with outside companies.
When teachers employ AI for grading, they become less familiar with their students’ abilities, ideas and common errors.
Finally, teachers should also avoid using AI, as it could, over time, put their jobs in jeopardy. If teachers demonstrate that AI can replace their skills, schools may try to cut costs or improve efficiency by eliminating some educators’ jobs or freezing new hires. This concern is supported by a 2025 Pew Research Center study, which found that 31% of AI experts believe the technology will put teaching jobs at risk within two decades.
While AI can be a helpful tool, it should never replace the experience, judgment and personal connection that teachers bring to their classrooms. As schools navigate the rise of AI, educators must avoid depending on this technology, which undermines education and threatens their invaluable role in their students’ lives.
