By Stacey Kim
We are in the midst of what one might call an AI revolution. It’s hard to imagine life without tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, especially for a majority of high school students who turn to it as naturally as a typical search engine—which ironically are also run by AI—or a calculator. But while the spotlight had largely remained on students’ use (and misuse) of AI, far less attention had been given to teachers and whether they should be using it, too.
On one hand, many educators argue that AI is simply another tool, no different from spellcheck. From their perspective, using AI to generate lesson plans or give feedback on an essay is only a matter of efficiency. These particular usages are especially useful for overworked teachers who juggle large class sizes and never-ending administrative demands. AI can reduce that burden and allow teachers to focus more on supporting their students and building personal connections with them, without being constantly swamped by a heavy workload.
On the other hand, though, the issue becomes more complicated when considering transparency. Studies show that about 80% of teachers do not find it necessary to disclose their utilization of AI when planning lessons, and nearly half say they wouldn’t tell students that AI helped grade their work. Such lack of openness raises an important question: if AI is truly just a harmless tool, why not simply be honest about using it?
This openness matters because teaching is not only about delivering content but also about modeling intellectual effort. Teachers expect students to care about writing, critical thinking, and originality, values that should be instilled while demonstrated for others to replicate. In fact, it’s difficult to ask students to spend hours drafting essays when their teacher is relying on AI to generate feedback in mere seconds. The message that is relayed is that the process may simply not be worth the effort.
There’s also a fairness issue at hand. In many schools, students are restricted or punished for using AI on assignments. Yet, teachers freely using the same technology behind the scenes, in reality, creates a double standard. Since AI is considered inappropriate for students, then educators need to consider why it should be acceptable for them. And if it is acceptable, then perhaps the rules for students should be reconsidered as well.
That said, completely banning AI for teachers would be unrealistic, maybe even counterproductive. I mean, AI can be incredibly useful when adopted thoughtfully by helping brainstorm ideas, differentiate instruction, or provide initial drafts that teachers can then refine. The key is not whether or not teachers employ AI, but how they do so.
Teachers have a responsibility to be upfront with their students about when and how AI is involved without any smoke and mirrors. More importantly, they should ensure explicitly that AI is supporting their work, not replacing their professional judgment. Trust between teachers and students is built when students see that their teachers are holding themselves to the same standards they expect from others. In this new era during which accountability and authenticity are being tested, it’s important for teachers to not just teach the material, but set the right example.
Ultimately, teachers must use AI responsibly and openly, a behavior that sends a message about what the proper exercise of AI looks like. They need to think carefully about the example they are setting and whether their choices align with the values they want to instill. Transparency matters. Critical thinking matters. We are entering a new age shaped by artificial intelligence, one that is redefining not just how we learn, but how we think, create, and connect with one another. Education shouldn’t lose its humanity in the name of efficiency. Instead, it should use AI as a tool, not a replacement. In the midst of such an AI revolution, the goal is not to eliminate effort, but protect it. And that starts with teachers leading the way in how they choose to navigate this new world alongside their students. So as we move forward into this brave new world, teachers should remember this: when it comes to using AI in education, they shouldn’t just prompt change. They should teach it.
