The latest Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll has revealed a striking transformation taking place in classrooms across the United States: six out of ten K-12 public school teachers now use artificial intelligence tools to help grade papers and develop lesson plans. But as these digital assistants free up valuable time and streamline workflows, a majority of educators warn that the pervasive use of AI could be making students less independent, potentially dulling their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This debate over AI’s dual-edged impact is gaining global relevance, with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s rapidly digitalising education sector.
Around the world, the influx of AI in education is revolutionising traditional teaching methods and prompting urgent reflection among educators, policymakers, and parents. For many Thai readers, these developments may seem distant, but as digital tools spread into Thai schools, the benefits, challenges, and candid anxieties reported in the U.S. offer a compelling preview of issues that are likely to arise locally.
According to the poll, over 2,000 teachers were surveyed in April 2025, with 60% reporting regular use of AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT for tasks ranging from lesson design to feedback and grading. High school teachers and those earlier in their careers tended to use AI more, suggesting a generational shift in approaches to teaching (nypost.com; TechSpot). The survey found teachers save an average of six hours per week thanks to AI, which many say helps reduce burnout and enhances their work-life balance. These findings echo similar trends reported by the RAND Corporation earlier in 2025, noting that one in four teachers admit to using AI as a core part of their teaching toolkit (Education Week; Government Technology).
Despite these efficiencies, nearly half of the teachers in the Gallup poll expressed concerns that students are relying too heavily on AI tools, risking a decline in their ability to independently think through problems or persist with challenges. One high school English teacher noted that assignments seemingly written by chatbots often display flawless grammar and sophisticated phrasing, making it harder to assess what students truly understand. In art classes, teachers are balancing between embracing creative AI tools and ensuring students develop their own vision and confidence, sometimes letting students choose whether or not to augment their work with AI (nypost.com).
Expert commentary gathered alongside the research stresses the need for nuanced guidelines. An educational technology associate professor at the University of Florida cautioned that “AI shouldn’t replace the judgment of a teacher.” When teachers use chatbots for grading, the advice is clear: reserve these tools for low-stakes assignments—such as multiple-choice quizzes—and always provide a transparent channel for students to appeal or discuss their grades. The final grading decision, experts agree, must remain with educators. Furthermore, privacy and child safety remain top concerns; schools are urged to use only AI platforms that have passed strict data protection reviews.
In the Thai context, the rapid digital transformation of education accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic has created fertile ground for AI adoption. While Thai schools are usually slower to adopt new technology—due to budget limitations and unequal internet access—the Ministry of Education has announced pilot studies using AI-powered tutoring apps and smart grading tools across selected schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai (Matichon). Thailand’s education leaders are keenly watching international trends, seeking a balance between embracing efficiency and safeguarding essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. The experience of U.S. schools provides a valuable reference point, especially as policymakers debate how best to regulate AI in the classroom, ensuring ethical standards and data privacy while avoiding over-reliance on automation.
Culturally, Thais place significant value on classroom relationships and respect for teachers—a dimension that technology cannot easily replicate. There is a risk that overuse of automated tools could further distance students from meaningful interactions with their teachers and classmates, diminishing a vital part of Thai educational tradition. At the same time, the immense paperwork burden faced by Thai teachers mirrors the situation abroad; many educators express hope that AI adoption could allow them to spend less time on administrative duties and more on personalised teaching and mentorship.
Looking ahead, as AI literacy becomes a core skill for both teachers and students worldwide, there is wide agreement among academics and practitioners on the need for deliberate, carefully managed incorporation of generative AI in schools (Wikipedia). Academic research, including a 2025 study in animation education, highlights that AI can boost innovative thinking and learning efficiency when paired with clear ethical guidelines and human oversight (PubMed). Expanding teacher training, as was the case in select U.S. districts, has empowered educators to model responsible AI use, ensuring that students can harness these tools without losing essential cognitive or social skills.
Thailand will need to develop its own standards for AI in education, including robust data privacy laws, transparent grading procedures, and curricula that foster “AI literacy”—the ability to use, question, and understand intelligent systems. For parents and guardians, discussing technology’s role in their children’s education and encouraging a critical, creative mindset will be increasingly important. Students should be guided not to see AI as a shortcut but as a tool for amplifying their own abilities, under the watchful guidance of well-trained teachers.
As the global classroom evolves, Thai policymakers, school leaders, and families are urged to stay well-informed and proactive. Rather than fearing the rise of AI, Thailand should focus on shaping its future use through thoughtful policy, inclusive debate, and a commitment to both innovation and the timeless values at the heart of quality education.