Teachers must adapt, lead students in AI era with values

The debate is no longer centred on whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) will reshape the education landscape, but on how swiftly and responsibly educators can adapt to this transformation while preserving the human values that define meaningful learning.

This was the dominant theme at a seminar titled “Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” organised at The Tribune Principals’ Meet in association with Chitkara University in Dharamsala on Friday.

The principals of more than 50 schools of the region participated in the event, creating a rare platform where educationists and technologists reflected collectively on the future of education. The aim of the seminar was to bridge the widening gap between technological advancements and educational practices. It brought together educators and entrepreneurs, who urged school leaders to adopt AI not with hesitation but with a sense of purpose, clarity and responsibility. The speakers underlined that while AI offered unprecedented opportunities for improving learning outcomes, it also demanded careful ethical considerations to ensure that “transformation remains student-centric and value-driven”.

Sanjeev Dosanj, Director (Outreach), Chitkara University, set the tone by acknowledging that AI had already become deeply integrated into modern education systems, from classrooms to administrative processes. “Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept — it is woven into the daily fabric of teaching and learning,” he said. However, he stressed that the irreplaceable role of teachers must be preserved. “We need to work on human ethics and values, which only a teacher can give. A combination of the teaching fraternity’s expertise and their ability to deploy artificial intelligence meaningfully is the need of the hour,” he added.

While reflecting on the day’s discussions, Dosanj said that the seminar served as a productive exchange of ideas among the participants from various schools in Himachal Pradesh, creating space for a meaningful dialogue on the future of learning.

Technology leader and AI strategist Kulbir Singh, who has been working in the field for more than 22 years, brought an industry perspective to the conversation. He spoke about his experiences implementing AI-based solutions across sectors worldwide and highlighted the increasing demand for AI-driven services. He referred to his latest venture and said, “We also have an AI receptionist service through my new start-up, which is going to empower manpower for receptionist services in the US.”

Kulbir Singh lauded The Tribune for facilitating a conversation that connects school leadership with emerging technologies. “We have built several workshops and programmes through which we are empowering students. But this kind of connect — meeting principals who shape the workforce of tomorrow, supported by universities like Chitkara — is extremely important,” he added.

According to him, such exchanges played a key role in ensuring that India’s youth were prepared for global opportunities. “This way we are going to make sure that our workforce is ready for the future and that we are firmly placed on the global road map for AI adoption and empowerment of mankind,” he added.

The speakers collectively emphasised that India was poised to become a significant player in the global AI revolution. They argued that this potential must be nurtured through inclusive and farsighted approaches that balance technological potential with societal needs. The speakers urged the educators to see AI not as a threat but as a tool that could enhance the quality of teaching and expand opportunities for students.

Educationist Shivani Thakur reiterated this sentiment and said that the time for hesitation had passed. “This is not a trend; it’s a reality we must embrace. AI is our assistant. We remain the masters. Teachers must become friends with technology instead of fearing it,” she added. The educators must focus on developing students’ ability to think critically, choose wisely and understand which tools served their learning goals best, she stressed.

A common message of the seminar was that the human dimension of education was still central, even in an era dominated by intelligent machines. The speakers stressed that while AI could analyse data, deliver personalised content and automate routine tasks, it could not replace the empathy, judgement and moral guidance that teachers provide. They urged students to cultivate discernment, the ability to choose what to learn, how to learn and which AI tools to rely on.

Another point emphasised was the need for ethical clarity in AI usage. With concerns over misinformation, data privacy and algorithmic bias growing worldwide, the speakers said that schools must integrate lessons on digital ethics and responsible technology use into their regular curriculum. They argued that AI education should not be limited to coding workshops or gadget-based learning but should include deeper understanding of technology’s social impact.

The seminar concluded with a consensus that the AI-driven transformation of education was both inevitable and full of promise. However, its success depended on how effectively the educators evolve from being information providers to mentors and facilitators guiding students towards the ethical and meaningful use of technology. As the speakers noted, the future of learning did not lie in competition between humans and machines, but in collaboration — humans empowered, not replaced, by artificial intelligence.