Planning Ahead for AI in Education: What’s Next?
Over the last year, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work at Google through a contract company, helping refine and train Google’s large language models (LLMs). It’s been an eye-opening experience to see just how much human effort and expertise go into developing AI—and even then, the technology isn’t perfect. LLMs hallucinate. They reflect the biases of the people who train and use them. They require constant refinement. And yet, despite these challenges, I’ve also seen firsthand how AI tools can transform workflows, making tasks faster, easier, and more efficient.
As I built Juniper Consulting LLC and developed the vision for Voyage Horizons Professional Learning Communities PD, I fell in love with AI’s potential—not just as a concept, but as a practical tool. As a small business owner, instructional designer, and content creator, I’ve used AI to generate professional-looking videos, create voiceovers (even in my own voice), and produce content at a level that I never would have had the time, skills, or budget to accomplish on my own. Many of these tools cost just $20 to $50 a month—an incredibly low investment for what they can do. If you can create a basic PowerPoint, you can use many of these tools. Some are even easier than PowerPoint.
But this got me thinking: how do these AI tools translate into the world of education?
AI in Education: Beyond the Hype
Right now, edtech companies are quick to claim their tools are “AI-powered,” but in many cases, that’s more marketing than reality. While there are AI-driven tools that help teachers save time—like Diffit and Eduaide.AI—I’ve been searching for AI tools that truly differentiate instruction for students, not just assist teachers in writing lesson plans or generating report card comments.
For years, teachers have been drowning in administrative tasks that take them away from actual instruction. AI could be an incredible solution for this, helping automate paperwork-heavy responsibilities. But what about student learning? Can AI go beyond logistics and genuinely improve instruction in a meaningful way?
The Future of AI in Differentiated Instruction
We know that every student learns differently. True differentiation—where instruction is tailored to individual student needs—has always been the holy grail of education, but it’s difficult to achieve at scale. AI has the potential to change that. Imagine a tool that could assess a student’s skill level in real time, adjust lesson content accordingly, and provide immediate, targeted feedback—freeing up the teacher to focus on higher-level instruction and relationship-building.
But if AI takes on this role, what does that mean for teachers?
The Role of Teachers in an AI-Driven Classroom
If AI can deliver differentiated instruction, provide real-time feedback, and even track student progress over time, how does that shift the role of the teacher? Will teachers become facilitators rather than direct instructors? Will they spend more time curating learning experiences and less time delivering direct instruction?
Or—more concerningly—will schools start to replace teachers with AI-powered tutors?
Right now, we don’t have answers to these questions, but they’re worth exploring before AI becomes deeply embedded in education systems.
The Need for Thoughtful AI Implementation
AI isn’t a magic fix for education, and it certainly shouldn’t be treated as one. Without careful planning, AI integration could lead to unintended consequences—widening opportunity gaps, reinforcing biases, or shifting too much responsibility away from teachers and onto automated systems.
As schools and districts consider implementing AI tools, they need a clear vision for how these tools will support, rather than replace, effective teaching. That means asking the right questions:
How will AI tools be vetted for accuracy and bias?
How do we ensure AI complements, rather than replaces, human connection in the classroom?
What safeguards are in place to protect student privacy and data?
How do we prepare teachers to use AI effectively, rather than expecting them to figure it out on their own?
PLCs: A Starting Point for AI Conversations
One of the best ways for school leaders to begin the process of thoughtful AI implementation is through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs provide a structured space for educators to explore AI’s potential in a collaborative, low-stakes environment. Through ongoing discussions, teachers and administrators can test AI tools, evaluate their effectiveness, and determine best practices for responsible use. This allows schools to build AI literacy among educators while ensuring that implementation aligns with instructional goals and ethical considerations.
Rather than rushing into AI adoption, PLCs enable schools to take a measured, evidence-based approach—piloting tools, sharing insights, and addressing concerns before AI becomes a disruptive force in the classroom. By leveraging PLCs, schools can ensure that AI is used thoughtfully, ethically, and in ways that truly enhance teaching and learning.
AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement
AI has the potential to be an incredible partner in education—but only if we’re intentional about how we use it. The goal shouldn’t be to replace teachers; it should be to empower them with tools that help them do their jobs more effectively. The most exciting AI tools won’t be the ones that just save time on administrative tasks—they’ll be the ones that truly enhance learning and give teachers more time to teach.
As we move forward, let’s approach AI in education with curiosity, caution, and purpose—planning ahead so that we make the most of its possibilities while staying true to what matters most: students, teachers, and the learning experience.
