Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly becoming indispensable in US classrooms, helping educators save time on administrative tasks while improving the quality of their teaching. A recent Gallup poll in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation reveals that 6 in 10 K-12 public school teachers across the US used AI tools during the past school year. Many teachers report that the technology has transformed their workload and professional lives, freeing up hours weekly and enhancing student engagement.For many teachers, AI has become more than just a convenience. It is changing how they plan lessons, grade assignments, and communicate with parents. These changes are especially meaningful at a time when teacher burnout is a growing concern nationwide. The report, based on a survey of more than 2,000 teachers conducted in April, highlights the evolving role AI plays in education under the current US administration led by President Trump.AI saves teachers about six hours a weekAccording to Gallup research consultant Andrea Malek Ash, who authored the study, teachers who use AI tools weekly estimate saving about six hours a week on work tasks. This includes time spent creating quizzes, worksheets, and lesson plans, as well as grading and administrative duties. “AI has transformed how I teach. It’s also transformed my weekends and given me a better work-life balance,” Mary McCarthy, a high school social studies teacher in Houston, told the Associated Press.Teachers like McCarthy credit AI with reducing their workload significantly, enabling them to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork. The technology has helped many educators improve their work quality, especially in modifying student materials and providing feedback. About 8 in 10 teachers surveyed said AI tools saved them time on various work tasks, while 6 in 10 reported better quality of work as a direct result of AI assistance.Practical uses of AI in the classroomFor teachers, AI’s benefits go beyond saving time. Ana Sepúlveda, a sixth-grade honors math teacher at a dual-language school in Dallas, shared how she used ChatGPT to create a geometry lesson plan themed around soccer. The AI generated a five-page lesson plan in seconds, including conversation starters and a student project on designing soccer fields and stadiums. Sepúlveda also uses the tool to translate materials into Spanish, which helps her communicate better with parents and students. “Using AI has been a game changer for me,” she said, as quoted by the Associated Press.Similarly, Colorado high school English teacher Darren Barkett uses AI tools to develop lesson plans and grade tests, noting their efficiency in handling “low-level” grading such as multiple-choice questions. Middle school art teacher Lindsay Johnson in suburban Chicago integrates AI cautiously, only using programs vetted by her school to protect student privacy. She encourages students to use AI for later stages of projects, ensuring that their original work remains their own.Guidelines and concerns about AI use in educationWhile AI is reshaping teaching practices, concerns remain about its potential misuse by students and overreliance by educators. About half of the teachers surveyed worry that students’ excessive use of AI could undermine critical thinking, independence, and persistence in problem-solving. States are responding by issuing guidelines to help schools use AI responsibly. About two dozen states have implemented AI policies, though their application varies widely.Maya Israel, an associate professor at the University of Florida, emphasizes the importance of maintaining teacher judgment in grading and instruction. She warns that AI tools are better suited for straightforward grading tasks and that educators should remain the final authority. “There should be a way for students to alert teachers if grading is too harsh or inconsistent,” she told the Associated Press.A tool for the future of US educationThe widespread adoption of AI in US classrooms signals a significant shift in education. Teachers who embrace the technology find it a valuable assistant rather than a replacement. They believe responsible use and proper training can help students navigate a future where AI will be commonplace. McCarthy pointed out that teaching students how to use AI tools responsibly is crucial: “If we don’t teach them how to use the tool, it feels like my responsibility as the adult in the room to help them figure out how to navigate this future,” she said to the Associated Press.As AI continues to integrate into classrooms nationwide, it offers the promise of better teaching quality, improved student engagement, and a healthier work-life balance for US educators.
