Education – AI useful tool, but relationships matter

I recently spent two weeks in Japan. What an amazing experience. The trip was full of rich culture, connection, and manaaki, where the hospitality and generosity shown by the people we met was unforgettable. While immersing myself in the language and customs of Japan, I found myself relying heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to navigate daily life. Whether it was using Google Lens for translations or Google Maps to work out complex train routes, AI quickly became my trusted travel companion. It was, quite literally, a taonga (treasure) for my trip.

It is becoming more apparent that AI is becoming deeply embedded in society and education must keep pace. As school leaders and educators, we are constantly reflecting on how policy and practice can respond to this rapid change. There is no doubt that AI can support teaching and learning in various ways, but despite its promise, I remain cautious.

This tension reminds me of watching Te Matatini earlier this year – Aotearoa New Zealand’s national kapa haka festival. The group Angitū integrated and used AI to compose an item for their performance, and during their haka, they powerfully stated:

“E tika ana kia whakamatāra i te iwi ki tēnei taonga, tēnei taniwha rānei.” 

“Absolutely, it’s crucial to raise awareness about the potential of AI; both its benefits and risks.”

They spoke about having to correct aspects of the AI-generated content that weren’t tika (accurate or appropriate), which is a gentle reminder for us to critically evaluate not just what AI produces, but where it comes from, and the biases that can shape it.

As educators, this is our challenge: to engage with AI while remaining steadfast in professional judgment and authenticity. AI can certainly support efficiency and productivity, and we are already seeing countries incorporate AI into their national curriculum. But with this comes the risk of over-reliance and the risk of producing misinformation.

Most importantly, as passionate advocates of our profession, we must ask: if AI can eventually guide rangatahi (youth) through content, curriculum, and assessment, what, then, is the role of the teacher?

I believe the answer must still be humanity. No matter how advanced AI becomes, it cannot replace teachers who bring empathy, purpose, passion, and aroha to their communities. Our relationships with our students, our ability to connect, inspire, and care, remain timeless and irreplaceable.

Thus, it’s welcoming to see education recognised in the recent Budget. Increased funding for learning support will see more youth reaching their full potential. Additional to this, is the investment into Alternative Education, one of the most historically underfunded areas. However, we still await vital increases in other areas in education (which is another subject, for another time).

As we look to the future, embracing innovation while staying grounded in the current realities and priorities will be essential. AI may be a powerful tool, but investing in our people, especially passionate educators, will always be our greatest asset.