Teachers are getting more comfortable using AI – but it isn't helping lower their workload

New YouGov data reveals that over 80% of teachers now utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in their professional work, marking a significant increase of nearly two times over the past year. Despite the widespread adoption of AI, teachers are not experiencing a reduction in their working hours; only one-third (35%) report working fewer hours since incorporating AI into their routines, while a majority (55%) work the same amount of time or more.

This suggests that teachers are not necessarily saving substantial time through AI usage, but rather are simply utilizing the technology to take on other tasks, implying a prolonged state of overwork.

The study of 1,033 UK teachers highlights several common applications of AI, including generating lesson plans and worksheets (76%) and drafting communication with parents or composing pupil reports (39%). Notably, only 8% of teachers employ AI for marking students' work, indicating that the primary focus is on streamlining administrative tasks rather than replacing the specialized skills they have trained for.

However, concerns persist regarding AI's potential impact on student learning, with more than half (57%) of teachers believing that at least one of their students submitted AI-assisted work in the past month without permission.

Ultimately, the findings present a complex picture of AI's dual role in education: AI can enhance efficiency in certain administrative aspects of teaching, yet it also raises questions about its effects on student learning outcomes. As the government grapples with how best to leverage AI technology to positively influence education, the data underscores the need for a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.