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Could AI Help Teachers in 2025? Insights from the Latest Research
With further research and the development of best practices, AI has the potential to become an essential tool for educators—helping them not just work more efficiently but also teach more effectively.
Date of writing
February 4, 2025
Time of reading
2 minutes
Artificial intelligence is making its way into K-12 classrooms, but how is it really being used by teachers? A recent study from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business sheds light on the role of AI in education, as highlighted by newswise. In a discussion on the Business and Society podcast, Samantha Keppler, assistant professor of technology and operations, shared her findings on how AI tools like ChatGPT are shaping the way educators work.
Keppler’s research followed 24 teachers throughout the 2023-2024 school year, gathering insights from observations, interviews, and surveys. The study found that teachers who used AI not just for material creation but also for seeking advice felt more productive, effective, and creative. “What we did find is that teachers who felt more productive with ChatGPT used it in two different ways: to ask for advice and to make materials… What we argue is that when teachers ask for advice from Generative AI, they’re trying to get it right, not just trying to get things done… Asking ChatGPT, ‘What is the best way to get my students to understand something?’ introduces to the teacher things that they might not have done originally.” — Samantha Keppler
Teachers are using AI to streamline their workflow, generate worksheets more efficiently, and explore new teaching strategies. Rather than simply automating tasks, AI offers a way to rethink and refine educational approaches.
Despite its benefits, integrating AI into classrooms is not without challenges. One of the biggest concerns is data privacy—particularly when working with minors. Keppler highlights the difficulties in regulating AI in schools, as many teachers lack formal training on safe AI usage. “Data privacy is definitely one of the biggest issues about AI use in K-12 education… I’ve heard examples of districts not wanting to work with some AI companies that did not seem to offer the protections that they expected for privacy.” — Samantha Keppler
Unlike other industries with strict regulations, teachers often adapt technology on their own rather than waiting for official guidance. This independent approach makes it difficult to enforce privacy protections and ethical AI usage.
Looking ahead, Keppler emphasizes that AI should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution for education. Instead, AI can help solve specific challenges, such as improving the college application process or ensuring teaching consistency across grade levels.
With further research and the development of best practices, AI has the potential to become an essential tool for educators—helping them not just work more efficiently but also teach more effectively.
Keppler’s research followed 24 teachers throughout the 2023-2024 school year, gathering insights from observations, interviews, and surveys. The study found that teachers who used AI not just for material creation but also for seeking advice felt more productive, effective, and creative. “What we did find is that teachers who felt more productive with ChatGPT used it in two different ways: to ask for advice and to make materials… What we argue is that when teachers ask for advice from Generative AI, they’re trying to get it right, not just trying to get things done… Asking ChatGPT, ‘What is the best way to get my students to understand something?’ introduces to the teacher things that they might not have done originally.” — Samantha Keppler
Teachers are using AI to streamline their workflow, generate worksheets more efficiently, and explore new teaching strategies. Rather than simply automating tasks, AI offers a way to rethink and refine educational approaches.
Despite its benefits, integrating AI into classrooms is not without challenges. One of the biggest concerns is data privacy—particularly when working with minors. Keppler highlights the difficulties in regulating AI in schools, as many teachers lack formal training on safe AI usage. “Data privacy is definitely one of the biggest issues about AI use in K-12 education… I’ve heard examples of districts not wanting to work with some AI companies that did not seem to offer the protections that they expected for privacy.” — Samantha Keppler
Unlike other industries with strict regulations, teachers often adapt technology on their own rather than waiting for official guidance. This independent approach makes it difficult to enforce privacy protections and ethical AI usage.
Looking ahead, Keppler emphasizes that AI should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution for education. Instead, AI can help solve specific challenges, such as improving the college application process or ensuring teaching consistency across grade levels.
With further research and the development of best practices, AI has the potential to become an essential tool for educators—helping them not just work more efficiently but also teach more effectively.