What my students taught me about AI

There’s increasing discussion about AI infiltrating nearly every area of life, sparking intense debate about its benefits and dangers. There is admiration for its ability to operate and produce at record speed, but people are asking: Can it be trusted? Will it replace jobs? How should we use it? And in the world of education, the question hits close to home.

Teachers are using AI to generate lessons and content. Students are completing assignments with AI help. What role should AI play in education?

We find a striking parallel in the Torah. In the Midbar, the leaders of each Shevet donated wagons to help transport the Mishkan. This marked a shift from manual labor to automation. Seemingly, the Levi’im were no longer needed—replaced by a more efficient tool.

But only six wagons were donated, and they bore such a heavy burden that the Levi’im still had to run alongside, constantly adjusting and steadying the load.

Why? Because the wagons were never meant to replace the Levi’im. They were there to support them in their Avodah.

Likewise, AI can be a tremendous support  and a powerful tool, but it cannot take the place of a  teacher, and certainly it can never replace the heart of a teacher. AI can’t give what only a human can give: Presence, empathy, and authentic connection. Students need someone who believes in them, challenges them, and shows up for them.

Recently, on my way to meet with summer camp staff, I ran into some of my former students. I asked them: “what’s the most important message I should share with the staff?”

Without hesitation, they said: “The most important thing is for staff to be interested in the campers. Pay attention to them. Spend time with them. And genuinely want to be there.”

That answer said it all. AI can possibly mimic emotion—but it cannot truly feel. Mimicry is not empathy. And children know the difference.

It’s not only students who need connection and care, teachers need it too.

A fantastic teacher with many years of experience shared with me, that it was the deep care and support of his mentor and principal who showed up during an extremely difficult period in his career, that enabled him to get through the tough times and become the teacher that he is today.

When  teachers feel part of a team - that others see, support, and care about them - they thrive. Knowing they are not alone, and not expected to figure everything out single handedly, makes all the difference. What keeps teachers in the field isn’t just a new technique, it’s a principal, mentor, or colleague who listens, encourages, and reminds them that  they are not alone.