Why AI Might Teach Better Than Humans (But Schools Aren’t Going Anywhere)
Luis von Ahn, the co-founder and CEO of language-learning platform Duolingo, recently made a provocative claim: Artificial intelligence could soon outperform human teachers in delivering personalized education. But don’t expect schools to disappear anytime soon, he adds—not because they’re irreplaceable as learning hubs, but because society still needs childcare.
This bold statement sparks a critical conversation about the evolving role of technology in education. Let’s unpack why von Ahn believes AI could redefine teaching, why schools will endure despite this shift, and what this means for the future of learning.
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The Case for AI as a Superior Teacher
Von Ahn’s confidence in AI stems from Duolingo’s own experiments with adaptive learning. The app’s AI-powered algorithms analyze user behavior—response times, error patterns, and engagement levels—to tailor lessons in real time. Unlike a human instructor managing a classroom of 30 students, AI can adjust difficulty, pacing, and content for each individual learner.
“A human teacher can’t simultaneously customize lessons for every student,” von Ahn explains. “But AI can notice if you’re struggling with verb conjugations today and serve extra practice without making you feel singled out.” This hyper-personalization addresses a longstanding flaw in traditional education: the “one-size-fits-all” approach that leaves some students bored and others overwhelmed.
AI also eliminates time lags in feedback. While teachers might take days to grade assignments, AI tools like ChatGPT or Duolingo’s chatbot provide instant corrections and explanations. For skills requiring repetition, like language acquisition or math drills, this immediacy keeps learners motivated.
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The Human Touch: Where AI Falls Short
But von Ahn’s argument isn’t about replacing teachers entirely. AI excels at delivering content and assessing performance, but education involves more than transmitting facts. Humans thrive in environments that foster creativity, critical thinking, and emotional growth—areas where AI still lags.
Consider a classroom debate about climate change. A teacher can challenge assumptions, mediate conflicting viewpoints, and connect the topic to students’ lived experiences. An AI might generate discussion prompts, but it can’t replicate the empathy and spontaneity of human interaction. Similarly, mentors play irreplaceable roles in nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and modeling social skills.
Even Duolingo acknowledges this. The app recently introduced human-like AI characters to simulate conversations, but these interactions lack the nuance of talking to a real person. As von Ahn admits, “AI isn’t here to build relationships. It’s here to make learning more efficient.”
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Schools as Social Safeguards (Not Just Classrooms)
So why will schools persist in an AI-dominated future? Von Ahn’s childcare argument highlights a pragmatic truth: Schools serve societal functions beyond education.
For working parents, schools provide safe, structured environments for children during the day. In the U.S. alone, 60% of families with kids under 18 rely on school schedules to coordinate jobs and childcare. Eliminating schools would force parents to find alternatives—an impractical demand, especially for low-income households.
Schools also act as community hubs. They offer extracurricular activities, mental health resources, and spaces for peer socialization—all critical for child development. “Kids don’t just go to school to learn algebra,” says Dr. Emily Parker, an education researcher. “They go to collaborate on projects, join sports teams, and navigate friendships. These experiences shape their identities.”
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The Hybrid Future of Education
The real transformation won’t be a choice between AI and humans but a blend of both. Imagine classrooms where AI handles routine tasks—grading quizzes, drilling vocabulary—while teachers focus on mentorship and creative projects. Students might use AI tutors for homework help, freeing teachers to design interactive lessons or provide one-on-one support.
This model is already emerging. Platforms like Khan Academy use AI to guide students through math problems, while teachers analyze performance data to identify gaps. In higher education, universities deploy chatbots for administrative queries, allowing staff to prioritize complex student needs.
However, this shift raises ethical questions. Will overreliance on AI erode foundational skills like handwriting or mental math? Could algorithmic biases worsen educational inequality? And how do we ensure children still develop resilience without facing occasional failures (which AI often tries to prevent)?
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Conclusion: Redefining Roles, Not Erasing Them
Luis von Ahn’s vision isn’t about sidelining teachers but reimagining their purpose. If AI assumes the role of a tireless instructor, humans can focus on what they do best: inspiring curiosity, fostering emotional intelligence, and preparing students for an unpredictable world.
As for schools, their survival hinges on adapting to dual roles—centers of both learning and community care. The challenge lies in integrating AI thoughtfully, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces the human elements that make education meaningful. After all, childcare isn’t just about supervision; it’s about raising well-rounded individuals. And that’s a job far too complex for algorithms alone.
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