Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence Will Fundamentally Change Education for the Better Over the Next Decade

By Tom Collar, Head of Primary,
Dubai International Academy

Framing the question

AI is coming for education. Some see this as a revolution, others as a reckoning. The question isn’t if AI will change education, it already is. The real question is: Will it change it for the better?

To answer that, I lean on three guiding questions:

What do we wish to preserve?
What do we wish to change?
What do we need help with?

First, we must fiercely protect what matters most—the human connections that make education meaningful and lasting. But we also have a unique opportunity to transform learning: to personalise it, to enhance it, and to meet the demands of increasingly diverse classrooms. And yet, let’s be honest, many educators and institutions aren’t just curious about AI; they’re overwhelmed by it. They need support in navigating this shift.

Change never happens in isolation. Whether it excites or unsettles us, the way we respond to AI will define its impact. Guided by change theories like Bridges’ Model of Transition, we must acknowledge that every teacher, student, and parent will process this evolution differently. But one thing is certain, AI isn’t the disruptor. We are. Our mindset, our choices, and our willingness to adapt will decide whether AI elevates or erodes education as we know it.

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept. It is here, reshaping industries and influencing how we live, work, and, in this case, how we educate. In education, the conversation around AI often oscillates between excitement and caution. As Head of Primary, I believe that AI has the potential to fundamentally improve education over the next decade, but only if we leverage it thoughtfully, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces the human connection at the heart of learning.

At DIA, we integrate technology into learning through frameworks like the PICRAT model (Passive, Interactive, Creative – Replacement, Amplification, Transformation), which helps us evaluate how educational technology impacts both student engagement and teaching practices. This model offers a valuable lens for assessing AI’s evolving role in our classrooms.

Passive vs Creative and Replacement vs Transformative

From Passive to Creative Learning
AI has the capacity to shift students from passive recipients of information to active creators of knowledge. Traditional learning often places students in a passive role, listening to lectures, reading texts, or watching videos. AI can transform this dynamic by enabling interactive and creative learning experiences. Adaptive learning platforms can adjust content based on student performance, while AI-driven tools can support inquiry-based projects, encouraging students to explore, question, and create, which are core aspects of an IB education.
From Replacement to Transformation in Teaching
Many AI applications start as replacements, automating grading or simplifying administrative tasks. While this improves efficiency, the true power of AI lies in amplifying and transforming teaching practices. At DIA, we use AI-powered assessment tools that provide data-driven insights, enabling teachers to tailor instruction to individual needs. This not only amplifies teacher effectiveness but also allows for transformative practices, like personalised learning pathways, that were previously unattainable at scale.

AI in Action at Dubai International Academy

AI is already making a tangible impact in our school. Teachers use AI-driven platforms to personalise learning experiences, ensuring students are both supported and challenged appropriately. For example, adaptive learning tools in mathematics adjust problem sets in real-time, helping students master concepts at their own pace. In writing, AI-driven feedback tools provide immediate suggestions on grammar and structure, enabling students to refine their work independently before receiving teacher input.

Beyond academics, AI also supports our broader educational goals. Data analytics help us monitor student wellbeing and engagement, aligning with our commitment to holistic education. These tools don’t replace teacher intuition but amplify it, providing deeper insights that help us support each child more effectively.

The Importance of Human Connection

While AI holds immense promise, it’s crucial to remember that education is fundamentally a human endeavour. Emotional intelligence, empathy, and ethical reasoning are qualities that no AI can replicate. At DIA, we ensure that technology, no matter how advanced, serves to enhance the human connections that define great teaching and learning.

It is worth noting that concerns about new technologies disrupting education and society are not new. Every generation has faced similar fears. When the printing press was invented, many worried that the ease of accessing information would lead to intellectual laziness. Radio and television sparked debates about the decline of reading and critical thinking. Even calculators in classrooms once raised concerns about eroding basic maths skills. Yet, in each case, society adapted, integrating these tools in ways that enriched learning. AI is simply the latest chapter in this ongoing narrative. By approaching it thoughtfully, we can ensure it becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a source of fear.

The PICRAT model reminds us to evaluate technology’s impact critically. Are we simply replacing traditional methods, or are we amplifying and transforming learning? Are students passively consuming content, or are they interacting and creating?

Looking Ahead

Over the next decade, AI will continue to evolve, offering even more opportunities to personalise learning, streamline administrative tasks, and transform the educational landscape. The key to leveraging this potential lies in thoughtful implementation. Using frameworks like PICRAT, we must ensure AI enhances engagement and fosters deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.

In the IB context, where inquiry, reflection, and global-mindedness are paramount, AI can be a powerful tool. But it is the teachers, mentors, and peers who will continue to inspire students to think critically, act ethically, and make a difference in the world.

But here’s the hard truth I alluded to at the start: AI isn’t the real threat to education’s future. We are. It’s not the algorithms or the datasets that will decide whether AI elevates or erodes learning. It is us. The way we, as educators, leaders, and policymakers, choose to wield this technology will determine its legacy.

The real danger isn’t machines taking over, it’s our failure to use them wisely. Misuse, underuse, blind reliance; these are the real risks. AI will only take education as far as we allow it.

So, the real question isn’t whether AI will change education for the better. It’s whether we have the vision, the responsibility, and the courage to embed it ethically—while fiercely protecting the human connections that make education truly transformative.

I believe we can. More importantly, I believe we must.