AI Tools Form New Reality in Education
Eindhoven, donderdag, 4 september 2025.
Following the launch of OpenAI’s GPT-5 during the summer, teachers and students are returning to school this academic year with new AI tools. Teachers see both opportunities and challenges in integrating AI into their lessons, while they investigate its impact on learning processes and digital skills. The new academic year calls for curiosity and flexibility, where AI is seen not as a replacement but as a powerful ally.
AI as a Support Tool in the Classroom
Teachers and students are returning to school this academic year with new AI tools, such as the improved GPT-5 from OpenAI, which was launched during the summer [1]. This technology offers both opportunities and challenges. According to Tim van Leeuwerden, a teacher at Fontys Economics and Communication’s International Business programme, AI should be seen as an ally rather than a threat. The new academic year calls for curiosity and flexibility, with teachers and students learning together how best to utilise AI [1].
Practical Applications in Education
AI tools are increasingly being used for practical tasks in the classroom. Recent American studies show that 60% of teachers used AI tools last academic year, saving up to six hours of work per week [3]. These tools assist in writing lesson plans, creating practice tests, analysing student performance, and even drafting parent emails. Moreover, some platforms offer personalised feedback for students or generate ideas for interactive lessons tailored to their needs [3].
Enhanced Support for Students
The use of AI extends beyond efficiency. Educators note that AI also improves support for students. Consider the automatic generation of learning paths based on individual progress or the deployment of AI agents functioning as digital tutors. In complex subjects such as biochemistry or mathematics, AI can adapt explanations to the pace and level of the student [3].
Agentic AI: Autonomous Digital Assistants
A much-discussed innovation is so-called agentic AI – systems capable of independently performing educational tasks. These digital assistants can, for example, automatically provide feedback on essays, answer student questions, or even detect and respond to real-time behavioural signals. For teachers, this means a shift in their role: from executor to facilitator [3].
Care and Ethics Remain Important
Despite positive experiences, caution is still advised. Some teachers express concerns about privacy, bias in algorithms, or excessive dependence on technology. There is also concern about how AI affects human connections in the classroom. Educational experts emphasise the importance of transparency, guidance, and well-thought-out implementation [3].
AI in the Broader Educational Context
The integration of AI in education cannot be separated from broader developments in the educational sector. SLO has published the new core objectives for citizenship and digital literacy, clearly indicating that digital skills are becoming a crucial part of education [2]. Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) has joined the Digital Education Council, demonstrating that universities of applied sciences are also actively contributing to the digitalisation of education [6].