A new wave of digital tools is reshaping classrooms in Thailand and around the world. A recent Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll shows that six in ten K-12 public-school teachers in the United States now use artificial intelligence to grade papers and plan lessons. While AI reduces busywork and helps teachers manage workloads, many educators worry that students may become overly dependent on technology, potentially weakening independent thinking and problem-solving skills. The findings offer a glimpse into issues likely to surface in Thailand as the education system goes deeper digital.
Around the globe, AI is transforming how lessons are designed and delivered. For Thai readers, these developments may feel distant, but as Thai schools gradually adopt similar tools, lessons from the United States highlight both opportunities and challenges. Data from international research suggests that AI can streamline planning and feedback, while raising questions about student autonomy and critical thinking.
The poll surveyed more than 2,000 teachers in April 2025. About 60% reported regular use of AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT for tasks from lesson design to grading and feedback. The use of AI is more common among high school teachers and those earlier in their careers, signaling a generational shift in teaching styles. On average, teachers say AI saves six hours per week, which can help reduce burnout and improve work-life balance. These trends align with similar insights from researchers and education researchers earlier in 2025, who noted AI’s growing role in core teaching tasks.
Yet concerns persist. Almost half of respondents say students rely too heavily on AI and may struggle to think through problems independently. A high school English teacher observed that assignments occasionally arrive with flawless grammar and polished phrasing from AI, complicating the assessment of genuine student understanding. In creative subjects like art, teachers balance leveraging AI’s creative potential with ensuring students develop their own vision and confidence, sometimes giving students the option to work with or without AI.
Experts emphasize balanced, guided use of AI. An educational technology scholar warns that AI should not replace a teacher’s judgment. Best practices suggest reserving AI for low-stakes tasks, such as multiple-choice quizzes, and keeping the final grading decision in the hands of educators. Privacy and child-safety considerations are paramount; schools should choose AI platforms that meet strict data-protection standards.
In Thailand, the post-pandemic digital shift has created fertile ground for AI in education. While adoption can be slower due to budget constraints and uneven internet access, the Ministry of Education has announced pilot programs using AI-powered tutoring apps and smart grading tools in select Bangkok and Chiang Mai schools. Thai education leaders are watching international trends closely, aiming to balance efficiency with the development of core skills like critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. The U.S. experience provides a useful reference as policymakers weigh how to regulate AI in classrooms, safeguarding ethics and privacy while avoiding over-reliance on automation.
Thai classrooms highly value teacher-student relationships and respectful classroom culture. There is a risk that excessive automation could erode meaningful interactions between students and teachers, a cornerstone of Thai education. At the same time, many teachers face heavy administrative burdens; AI could help shorten paperwork and free time for personalized teaching and mentorship.
Looking forward, AI literacy—knowing how to use, evaluate, and question AI—should become a core skill for teachers and students alike. Experts agree that deliberate, well-structured integration of generative AI in schools is essential. Expanding teacher training has shown promise in enabling educators to model responsible AI use while preserving essential cognitive and social development.
Thailand will need to craft its own standards for AI in education, including clear data privacy rules, transparent assessment practices, and curricula that foster AI literacy. Parents should engage in conversations about technology’s role in learning and encourage critical, creative thinking. Students should view AI as a tool to amplify their abilities—not a shortcut—and receive guidance from well-trained teachers.
As the global classroom evolves, Thai policymakers, school leaders, and families are urged to stay informed and proactive. Rather than fearing AI, Thailand can shape its use through thoughtful policy, inclusive dialogue, and a commitment to innovation alongside enduring educational values.