KNUST AI Coordinator urges structured adoption of AI in teacher education

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Coordinator at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has advocated for a structured and supervised integration of artificial intelligence into teacher education. Prof Eric Appau Asante emphasized the need for educational institutions to develop deliberate approaches to guide AI use, as the rapid adoption by students has outpaced institutional preparedness.

He stressed that AI should not dictate pedagogy, but rather strengthen the goals of producing well-prepared teachers. Prof. Asante urged schools and teacher-training institutions to align their AI adoption with Ghana’s National Teachers’ Standards and the National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework. He expressed concern that without proper reference to these frameworks, AI could drive rather than support teaching practices.

The conference’s theme, "Transforming Research-Based Teacher Education in Ghana in the Era of Artificial Intelligence," focused on addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by the growing use of AI in teacher preparation. Prof. Asante argued for clear institutional policies that reflect national education frameworks, and called for the intentional integration of AI competencies into curricula rather than relying on sporadic training programs.

He also highlighted infrastructure as a crucial factor in effective AI adoption, advocating for institutional accounts and low-bandwidth solutions to ensure access. He emphasized the importance of viewing AI as a tool for empowering teachers to become designers, evaluators, and mentors in the learning process.