Artificial intelligence is reshaping how math teachers approach lesson planning, creating assignments, and personalizing instruction, as outlined in Education Week. While some educators remain hesitant, others are embracing AI tools to save time and enhance student engagement.
From Skepticism to Adoption
When ChatGPT first launched in 2022, 6th-grade math teacher Matthew Karabinos was wary. “It’s a scary proposition to have to reimagine teaching when the work is already difficult,” Karabinos said. “That creates lots of fear and anxiety in an already tumultuous field.” But by 2023, he decided to experiment—starting with a simple request for a preposition quiz. Impressed by the results, he dove deeper into AI’s potential for math instruction.
Now, he frequently uses AI to design engaging, higher-order thinking tasks aligned with Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms framework. “It gives me that first step so that I don’t have to literally sit down and find and research all these thinking tasks ahead of time,” he said. “They can be done in a matter of minutes.” Karabinos is part of the 21% of math teachers using AI for instructional planning, according to a 2025 RAND report. However, math and elementary teachers lag behind English, science, and secondary educators in AI adoption.
Gail Burrill, a mathematics specialist at Michigan State University, explains: “Math is in a slightly different space than the other content areas. Computer-assisted algebra and other algorithmic math tools have been around for a long time, but teachers have been struggling with how to integrate those technologies into the classroom.” A February 2025 EdWeek Research Center survey found that 68% of math teachers haven’t received any AI-related professional development. Additionally, 11% believe AI should never be used in math instruction, citing concerns about bias, inaccuracies, and impacts on critical thinking.
Now, he frequently uses AI to design engaging, higher-order thinking tasks aligned with Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms framework. “It gives me that first step so that I don’t have to literally sit down and find and research all these thinking tasks ahead of time,” he said. “They can be done in a matter of minutes.” Karabinos is part of the 21% of math teachers using AI for instructional planning, according to a 2025 RAND report. However, math and elementary teachers lag behind English, science, and secondary educators in AI adoption.
Gail Burrill, a mathematics specialist at Michigan State University, explains: “Math is in a slightly different space than the other content areas. Computer-assisted algebra and other algorithmic math tools have been around for a long time, but teachers have been struggling with how to integrate those technologies into the classroom.” A February 2025 EdWeek Research Center survey found that 68% of math teachers haven’t received any AI-related professional development. Additionally, 11% believe AI should never be used in math instruction, citing concerns about bias, inaccuracies, and impacts on critical thinking.
How Math Teachers Are Using AI
1. Lesson Planning & Assignment Creation
Many educators use AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and MagicSchool to generate quizzes, activities, and homework. Karabinos built a custom GPT model trained on Liljedahl’s research to streamline lesson design. “Take that time back [with AI]. Use it for something wise, like building relationships with your students,”he advises.
2. Differentiating Instruction
Ana Sepulveda, a 6th-grade math teacher in Dallas, uses MATHia, an adaptive learning platform, to personalize instruction. She also employs AI to support bilingual students by translating key math terms between English and Spanish.
3. AI as a Student Tutor
Nick Phillips, a calculus teacher in Pennsylvania, encourages students to use AI for self-guided help: “I encourage them to use it as a way to check their work or to work through a problem where they’re getting stuck.” Similarly, Vicki Davis, a computer science teacher in Georgia, teaches students how to prompt AI to explain concepts in relatable terms—like comparing iterative lists to soccer strategies.
The EdWeek survey found that teachers want PD tailored to their experience level:
While concerns remain, advocates argue that AI, when used responsibly, can reduce teacher workload and spark new teaching strategies. “It used to [take a] half hour or 45 minutes to make [an assignment] look perfect,” Karabinos said. “Not anymore.” As AI evolves, so will its role in math education—whether as a planning assistant, a tutor, or a tool for deeper student engagement.
Many educators use AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and MagicSchool to generate quizzes, activities, and homework. Karabinos built a custom GPT model trained on Liljedahl’s research to streamline lesson design. “Take that time back [with AI]. Use it for something wise, like building relationships with your students,”he advises.
2. Differentiating Instruction
Ana Sepulveda, a 6th-grade math teacher in Dallas, uses MATHia, an adaptive learning platform, to personalize instruction. She also employs AI to support bilingual students by translating key math terms between English and Spanish.
3. AI as a Student Tutor
Nick Phillips, a calculus teacher in Pennsylvania, encourages students to use AI for self-guided help: “I encourage them to use it as a way to check their work or to work through a problem where they’re getting stuck.” Similarly, Vicki Davis, a computer science teacher in Georgia, teaches students how to prompt AI to explain concepts in relatable terms—like comparing iterative lists to soccer strategies.
The EdWeek survey found that teachers want PD tailored to their experience level:
- Beginners want an overview of AI basics.
- Intermediate users seek guidance on specific tools.
- Advanced adopters look for ways to refine their AI integration.
While concerns remain, advocates argue that AI, when used responsibly, can reduce teacher workload and spark new teaching strategies. “It used to [take a] half hour or 45 minutes to make [an assignment] look perfect,” Karabinos said. “Not anymore.” As AI evolves, so will its role in math education—whether as a planning assistant, a tutor, or a tool for deeper student engagement.