{
  "id": 14863571,
  "title": "AI cannot replace teachers – APEN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ai-cannot-replace-teachers-apen",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-16T04:10:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ai-cannot-replace-teachers-apen/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) has declared that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace teachers and schools, emphasizing the crucial role of human connection in education. Despite the increasing use of technology, APEN maintains that teachers are indispensable for providing emotional support, nurturing students, and fostering their overall development. This stance was conveyed during a press conference held at Greensprings School, Lagos, ahead of the 2026 APEN Education Conference, themed \"Human First: Leading with AI,\" scheduled for November 2 and 3 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.\n\nThe conference's keynote speaker, Bolanle Adewole, urged educators to embrace AI responsibly while acknowledging its potential to enhance teaching and learning. Adewole noted that AI should not threaten teachers, but rather improve efficiency in tasks like preparing lesson notes, developing curricula, writing reports, and assessing students' work. She cautioned against teachers adopting AI negatively and highlighted the importance of human relationships in the teaching-learning process.\n\nAPEN Chairperson Abimbola Ogundere emphasized that the conference aimed to help various stakeholders understand how AI could be integrated into education without undermining the role of educators. She added that the two-day event would provide practical ideas for immediate implementation in schools. However, she cautioned that AI cannot replace human beings, asserting that AI is here to stay, but human beings will remain integral to education.",
  "summary": "The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) says artificial intelligence cannot replace teachers, stressing human connection remains central to Read More: https://punchng.com/ai-cannot-replace-teachers-apen/",
  "key_points": [
    "APEN declares AI cannot replace teachers or schools",
    "Teachers provide emotional support and nurture students",
    "Conference emphasizes human-first approach to AI in education"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing human connection over automation signals a strategic shift toward using artificial intelligence as a supportive tool for administrative efficiency rather than a replacement for essential educator relationships.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}