UAE school group Gems says 'digital personas' of teachers will assist staff, not replace them

The UAE's largest private school group, Gems Education, is set to integrate digital replicas of its teachers into classrooms, as part of a nationwide effort to incorporate advanced technology in education. These AI-powered "digital personas" or "digital twins," developed in collaboration with global brand Napster, aim to assist staff rather than replace them.

The project, which will initially focus on the Gems School of Research and Innovation, plans to expand across the entire Gems network by the end of the year. The evolving education technology, which includes gamified learning, AI-assisted content creation, and classroom simulations, seeks to extend teachers' reach and impact without supplanting their professional, pastoral, or safeguarding responsibilities.

A "digital persona" is described as a configured AI identity with an approved role, knowledge base, tone, permissions, and safeguards. Unlike "digital twins," which closely replicate teachers, digital personas are optional for teachers to adopt. The primary use case for the digital personas is after-hours academic support, offering students on-demand access to curriculum content and guided practice in various languages.

While some parents express concerns about the technology replacing human judgment or leading to AI hallucinations, others support the proposal, particularly if it enhances learning and benefits students. Teachers emphasize the importance of preserving human interaction and ensuring AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a crutch.