As schools reopen for the new academic year, many parents, school districts, and the federal government are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in education. However, some experts caution that AI could exacerbate the existing teacher shortage by potentially eliminating jobs. A Pew Research Center study released last spring found that 31% of AI experts believe AI will lead to fewer teaching positions. Nearly one-third of those surveyed predicted that teaching jobs could be "at risk" within the next 20 years.

This warning follows a report from the Learning Policy Institute, which estimated that by 2025, about one in eight teaching positions will be unfilled or occupied by teachers who are not fully certified. Eric Jenkins, Indiana's 2024 Teacher of the Year, acknowledged that AI might replace certain aspects of teaching but emphasized that it should serve as a tool rather than a substitute for teachers.

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield echoed this sentiment, stating, "In no universe do I think that AI is going to replace a teacher. The teacher is the most important part and component of the classroom, but [AI] is a very useful tool in helping them provide the best educational environment that they can in the classroom."

The White House has encouraged K-12 students to utilize AI. While the Trump administration has not explicitly stated that AI could replace teachers, it has launched an action plan asserting that AI will enhance American lives by complementing human work. Recently, First Lady Melania Trump initiated an AI contest for students to create projects addressing community challenges, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon supporting the initiative. McMahon stated, "AI has the potential to revolutionize education, drive meaningful learning outcomes, and prepare students for tomorrow's challenges."

Since the introduction of ChatGPT nearly three years ago, many school districts across the U.S. have developed guidelines for AI use in classrooms. Districts report that they are open to embracing AI, provided it is used appropriately and maintains academic integrity. Critchfield downplayed concerns about AI promoting cheating, noting that teachers can easily identify discrepancies in students' writing styles.

In light of the pandemic, Thomas Toch, director of FutureEd at Georgetown University, argued that students need connections with peers and educators more than ever. Toch cautioned against relying solely on AI for student interaction, stating, "The loss of that connection during the pandemic... created widespread mental-health challenges. The notion that a machine will be the only entity that interacts with kids is problematic in that regard."

Education experts highlight ongoing teacher shortages in critical areas such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and special education. Many educators cite factors like strict time demands, behavioral issues, and lack of administrative support as contributing to these shortages.

Both Toch and Jenkins recognize AI's potential to assist teachers by helping with lesson planning and grading, ultimately saving time. Jenkins believes that teachers should embrace AI, stating, "I don't think we can put our head in the sand about it. I don't think that it's necessarily going to replace teachers because teachers can offer something that AI can't, which is a connection, like authentic connection and community."

Critchfield expressed enthusiasm for the use of AI among students and educators but emphasized the importance of viewing AI as a tool rather than a threat. She noted that effective use of AI could help retain teachers and alleviate their workloads. "How are we preparing and training our teachers to use [AI] so that we don't add new problems as we're trying to solve some other problems?" she asked.

Critchfield does not view AI as a threat to jobs but warned that teachers who are proficient in AI may outpace those who are not. In Philadelphia, Superintendent Tony Watlington shared that instead of banning ChatGPT, the district is now focusing on learning from it. The School District of Philadelphia is implementing AI 101 training for teachers and school leaders in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. Watlington stated, "We're not hiding from AI. We're also thinking about its implications and we're really paying attention to what the prospective unintended consequences could be as well. I think that's the responsible way to think about artificial intelligence."