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AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls

AI in Education EditorialUpdated June 2, 20261 min readRead source
AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls
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Skip to main content AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls Ever more processes rely on artificial intelligence, yet our governance is still stuck at the level of ‘is it OK for students to use ChatGPT in essays?’, says Tom Smith Published on January 19, 2026 Last updated February 6, 2026 Tom Smith Share on bluesky Share on linkedin Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on mail 11 Source: ES3N/iStock By now,

Analysis & Perspectives

People Also Ask

Will AI replace teachers in the future?
Education researchers broadly agree that AI will not replace teachers but will significantly change what teachers do. AI handles information delivery, practice, and grading efficiently. Teachers provide mentorship, motivation, social-emotional support, and the nuanced judgment that defines quality education — capabilities that remain beyond current AI.
What teaching tasks can AI already do?
AI can already draft lesson plans, adapt reading levels, grade multiple-choice and short-answer assessments, answer factual student questions 24/7, generate practice problems, provide writing feedback, and flag at-risk students through learning analytics. These tasks represent a significant portion of teacher preparation time but not the relational core of teaching.
Are any teaching jobs already being replaced by AI?
Some online tutoring and test-prep roles have been reduced as AI tools handle those functions. AI teaching assistants manage high-volume student queries in massive open online courses. However, full classroom teaching positions in K-12 and higher education have not been replaced; the demand for credentialed teachers remains strong globally.
How should teachers prepare for an AI-integrated future?
Teachers future-proof their careers by developing AI literacy, learning to use AI tools as productivity multipliers, and deepening skills in the uniquely human aspects of teaching: building relationships, facilitating discussion, providing mentorship, and exercising professional judgment in complex student situations where AI cannot reliably operate.