The best way to integrate new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education isn’t by creating autonomous systems meant to replace teachers. Instead, AI should be a tool to enhance and support educators’ work.
Paulo Blikstein, director of the Research Lab at the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), emphasized this point during the opening keynote of the IFE Conference 2025, held at Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Monterrey campus. His talk focused on AI’s role in education.
Currently on sabbatical from Columbia University, Blikstein is an associate professor of Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies. He is also a co-founder of the Center for Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Brazil at Stanford University.
He explained that for more than a century, educational technologies have been developed with an oversimplified view of teaching. These tools often fail to understand the full scope of a teacher’s role, so many have fallen short of their goal to democratize education.
“The best use of educational technology happens when teachers facilitate, coordinate, and apply it with a clear purpose in the classroom,“ he stated.
He stressed the need for AI tools that incorporate teachers into the process using a “human-in-the-loop“ approach—where educators can oversee and fine-tune the technology.
Blikstein was joined in the discussion by Michael Fung, IFE’s executive director, to explore the realities and challenges of using AI in education.
Five Ways AI Can Be Used in Education
Blikstein pointed out that when people talk about AI in education, they often think of a single concept. However, there are multiple applications, and he highlighted five key areas where AI can make a difference: management, planning, assessment, research, and learning.
These applications, he noted, provide significant value to teachers. Unlike some educational technology developers assume, a teacher’s job goes far beyond explaining concepts. Educators also diagnose student progress in real-time, assess whether they are learning, coordinate group activities, and manage the social dynamics of a classroom, among many other tasks.
“Technologists tend to think teaching is just explaining, so they build systems based on that idea—and those systems almost always fail. The technology works best when teachers are in control,” he argued.
For example, Blikstein referenced research showing that completion rates for online courses are extremely low—often between 5% and 10%. These courses work well for individuals with higher levels of education but are far less effective for students who need more support.
Challenges for Educational Technologies
Blikstein also touched on some of the significant challenges in implementing educational technologies. He said one of the biggest hurdles is student motivation—most students won’t voluntarily spend hours learning on a computer at home.
“By nature, learning is difficult—it requires grappling with concepts students don’t yet understand. That’s where teachers play a crucial role as guides,” he explained.
He also pointed out that humans thrive on interaction. People enjoy engaging in social activities and receiving live feedback—whether in a conversation, a classroom, or a discussion. “Humans evolved to be with other humans,” he added.
For this reason, he emphasized prioritizing educational goals over technological or commercial interests. The most effective solutions, he argued, come from a synergy between humans and technology, where innovation is designed to address real educational challenges and drive sustainable improvements.
The AI Hype in Education
During the conference, Michael Fung addressed some of the commonly hyped expectations surrounding AI, particularly in the wake of its explosive rise in popularity. He cited findings from Stanford University’s AI Index Report 2024, which tracks trends in artificial intelligence.
One widespread misconception, he noted, is that AI will replace teachers. This idea has gained traction due to pressure from critics of human educators and the increasing adoption of AI tools in schools, some of which aim to replace instructors partially.
However, Fung pointed out that, like previous revolutionary technologies, AI has sparked inflated expectations. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and the metaverse are examples of innovations that once promised to reshape education but ultimately failed to deliver on their initial hype.
That being said, there are successful AI applications in education. Fung highlighted several AI-driven projects spearheaded by the IFE and the Research Lab at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
One such initiative is an adaptive learning system that helps teachers track students’ knowledge levels and learning preferences through an AI-powered platform.
Another example is iClassroom, a project that uses real-time data analysis—such as students’ posture and voice patterns—to assess their engagement and attention levels during lessons.
“Growing evidence suggests that AI won’t replace humans—it will complement them, making them more efficient. But achieving this requires continuous innovation that evolves, with humans at the center of the educational process,” Fung emphasized.
IFE Conference 2025
The IFE Conference 2025 (formerly the CIIE) is held from January 28 to 30 at Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Monterrey campus. The event brings together more than 4,000 attendees from 27 countries and 261 institutions.
In its 11th edition, this year’s theme is “Driving the Future of Education with Innovation and Technology.” The conference aims to explore emerging technologies’ challenges and opportunities for education and lifelong learning.
Over three days, attendees will have access to keynote talks, expert panels, summits, exhibitions on educational innovation, networking sessions, and award ceremonies.
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