The popularity of AI could spark 'reasonable' fears that schools may employ fewer teachers, or possibly none at all, expert says

• Tools like ChatGPT could raise fears about fewer teachers being used in schools, per an AI expert.
• Stuart Russell spoke to The Guardian about how traditional teaching roles could change.
• The education sector has been having a difficult time adapting to new AI tech.

The use of AI tools in education has been the subject of much debate recently and the sector has been having a difficult time adapting to the technology.

Speaking to The Guardian, AI expert Stuart Russell said the rising use of the technology could spark "reasonable" fears among those working in the education sector that fewer teachers, or possibly none at all, could be employed by schools.

Russell, a computer scientist based at the University of California, Berkeley, told the outlet that AI technology could potentially deliver "most material through to the end of high school." He added that he thought humans would still play a role but it could differ from traditional teaching duties.

Per The Guardian, he made the comments before speaking at the UN's AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. 

Some education departments have banned the use of ChatGPT, citing negative impacts on student learning and misinformation concerns, given that AI chatbots are also known to "hallucinate" or invent facts.

Recently, however, a group of UK colleges, which include Cambridge and Oxford, issued guidance aimed at allowing students and staff to capitalize on AI. Russell Group drew up the principles with backing from the vice-chancellors of 24 institutions.

The move came after teachers and professors faced widespread instances of hard-to-detect AI cheating, leading some to adjust their assessment methods.