Computer, I Say, NO!

I posted this blog a little while ago. It reflects some of my opinions about AI and Teaching. Somehow, between me writing the anecdote and it being published the whole texted was replaced by generic AI generated filler. Back in your box, Skynet.

Once upon a time, a few years ago, a national recruitment company with a well-respected educational division approached me about providing online tuition. We scheduled an interview.

As always in these conversations, I have at least as many questions for them as they have for me. Have answered his, I started on mine. I’m not overly mercenary but I do believe in fair remuneration, so I asked the rate. He replied with a figure far below what I expected to hear. I asked why the rate was so low.

“We’ve got this new AI software that plans all the lessons. You tell it what the student is interested in, what you need to teach, and the AI draws up a lesson plan.”

I asked him if he had ever heard the Arthur C. Clarke quote, “Any teacher who can be replaced by a machine, should be.”

He laughed, “No.” He thought it was very funny. I told him I wouldn’t be taking the position and he asked me why! 

I pride myself on my ability to be flexible in my teaching, to change the thread of a lesson at any point in order to be dynamic and work with the student’s needs. I value every student I work with as an individual, not just a list of needs and interests.

So, there you have it. I don’t use AI. I won’t use AI. Apparently, the AI doesn’t want you to know that!