HYDERABAD: Artificial intelligence is set to bring significant changes to the way education is delivered, with teachers increasingly expected to become facilitators rather than relying solely on conventional teaching methods, said Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Speaking during a panel discussion, Mittal said universities and educators must understand how different AI tools can be used for teaching, administration, research and personalised learning. She noted that AI is already being explored by Vice-Chancellors and educational institutions to improve their work and transform university systems.
AI Can Personalise Classroom Learning
Mittal said AI can help move education away from the traditional model in which the same lesson is delivered to an entire class at the same pace.
She explained that students can first receive a common lesson followed by a quiz or self-assessment. Based on their responses, AI can assess their level of understanding and provide subsequent lessons according to their individual capabilities.
Teachers Can Use AI to Save Time
Mittal also highlighted the potential of AI in question-paper preparation, quizzes, grading, lesson planning and administrative activities. She said teachers who use the technology intelligently can reduce routine workloads and devote more time to teaching and innovative classroom practices.
Addressing concerns over students using AI for assignments, she shared an example in which students were allowed to use AI but were expected to modify and understand their submissions. She said the process could ultimately encourage students to learn because they had to engage with the material while preparing their assignments.
She emphasised that teachers would increasingly have to act as facilitators, enabling them to focus more on learning outcomes, personalised instruction and innovative teaching methods instead of administrative tasks.
Education Must Move Beyond Content
Mittal said the rapid development of technology is also changing what students need to learn. She pointed to the increasing importance of learning how to learn, creativity, communication, teamwork and curiosity.
According to her, students must develop the ability to continuously acquire new knowledge because information is becoming outdated much faster, particularly in fields such as engineering, technology, data science and AI. She said curricula therefore need to evolve more frequently to keep pace with technological developments.
Curiosity Will Shape Future Learning
Drawing from her experience at a rural women’s university, Mittal said educators should encourage students to question everyday phenomena rather than simply memorising information.
She described how students were encouraged to ask questions about ordinary experiences, using curiosity as a tool for deeper learning. According to her, questioning, creativity and problem-solving will become increasingly important in the future education system.
Teachers Must Prepare for a New Education System
Mittal said the relationship between teachers and students will also change as technology provides learners with greater access to information and alternative ways of learning.
She urged teachers to modify their teaching methods and remain prepared to answer students who may approach subjects from multiple perspectives. “The focus is shifting from teaching to learning,” she said, stressing that educators must understand how students learn and what forms of content and methodology work best for them.
Concluding her remarks, Mittal called for educators and institutions to be part of the rapid transformation taking place in education. She said keeping pace with technological change will be essential if teachers are to prepare students effectively for the future.