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Mayoor School Jaipur September 5th, 2025

Benefits and Drawbacks of Applying AI in School

Benefits and Drawbacks of Applying AI in School
Did you know? Around two-fifths (44%) of children actively engage with generative AI, with more than half (54%) using it for schoolwork and/or homework.

We already have AI in the form of voice assistants such as Alexa or Siri, question-answering chatbots, or video and song-recommending apps. AI is now also coming into our classrooms. From lesson-adapting apps that tailor content for each student's pace to grading and lesson-planning aids, schools are looking into ways that AI can simplify and enhance learning.

But as every coin has two sides, so AI in education also has two sides. Let's see both sides, so that students and teachers can understand how to utilise AI correctly.

Advantages of AI in Schools

1. Personalised Learning for Every Student

Every student learns differently. Some understand quickly, while others need more time or different explanations. In a classroom of 30–40 students, it's difficult for teachers to give equal attention to everyone.

AI tools can help by monitoring each student's progress and suggesting lessons, quizzes, or practice activities at the right level. This way, no one feels left behind.

  • Research shows that students using AI-based platforms often perform better than those who don't.
  • In some schools, AI helped increase test scores in mathematics by nearly 20% within a few months.
Real-life Example: In Nigeria, an after-school program used both AI tutors and human teachers. Within six weeks, students achieved learning gains equal to two years of regular schooling. This was especially helpful for girls who were falling behind.

2. Saving Teachers' Time

Teachers do much more than teach. They grade homework, prepare lesson plans, and manage attendance. This workload can reduce the time they spend interacting directly with students.

AI can take care of many routine tasks, such as:

  • Automatically grading quizzes and assignments
  • Recording attendance
  • Suggesting lesson plans
Incidents of AI and cheating in schools were reported by around a quarter (24.11%) of charter high school students, compared to just 6.44% for private high schools and 15.2% for public institutions. (SOURCE)

In India, apps like TeacherKit and Knewton are already helping teachers with planning and grading. This allows teachers to focus more on guiding, mentoring, and supporting their students.

3. Making Learning More Inclusive

Not all students learn in the same way. Some may have learning disabilities, while others may not be fluent in the classroom language. AI can make education more inclusive by offering tools such as:

  • Text-to-speech for students with weak eyesight
  • Speech-to-text for students who struggle with writing
  • Translation software for students who speak different languages

4. Engaging Students

Students sometimes lose interest when lessons feel boring or too difficult. AI can make learning more interactive through exercises, quizzes, and even games.

  • AI adjusts the difficulty level based on the student's progress.
  • Research shows that personalised learning paths can increase student engagement by over 40% and reduce dropout rates.

Imagine learning science through an AI-powered simulation where you can perform virtual experiments safely. That's not just effective—it's fun too!

Challenges of Using AI in Schools

While AI has many advantages, it also comes with challenges that schools must handle carefully.

1. Over-Reliance on Technology

A big concern is that students may rely too much on AI. Instead of learning, some may use AI tools to complete homework or write essays for them.

Surveys suggest that many students secretly use AI for assignments without fully understanding the subject.

This over-reliance can harm real learning and make exams harder for those who don't practice properly.

2. Privacy and Safety Concerns

AI systems need a lot of data to work well—such as student grades, learning habits, and sometimes even personal details. If this data isn't protected, it could be hacked or misused.

Studies show that over 60% of schools struggle to keep AI-related data secure.

That's why schools must ensure any AI tools they use follow strong data protection rules.

3. Equality and Fair Access

AI depends on large sets of data, but if the data is biased, the results may not be fair. For example, AI might grade writing differently for students with unusual writing styles.

4. Reduced Human Interaction

AI is smart, but it cannot replace the human touch. Students need encouragement, care, and emotional support—things that only teachers can provide.

The most common AI tools used in education by teachers are AI-powered educational games, used by more than half (51%) of teachers.

5. Training and Infrastructure Needed

For AI to be effective, teachers must know how to use it. Schools also need proper infrastructure, such as good internet, devices, and electricity.

This shows that AI is not a magic solution. It only works when schools are ready.

Blending AI and Human Instruction

The best way forward is not to replace teachers with AI, but to let them work together.

  • AI can handle routine tasks like grading, attendance, and practice tests.
  • Teachers can focus on motivating students, building creativity, and developing life skills.
Example: In China, AI is already part of the school curriculum. Students spend at least 8 hours a year learning the basics of AI, while teachers are also trained to use it responsibly. Companies like Microsoft and OpenAI are funding programs to help teachers use AI effectively in classrooms.

Conclusion

AI in education is no longer just an idea for the future—it's happening now. The advantages are clear: personalised learning, saving teacher time, making classrooms inclusive, and keeping students engaged. But the drawbacks are also important: over-reliance, privacy issues, unequal access, and the loss of human connection.