'AI cannot replace teachers'

Speakers urge teachers to improve their skills to match changing technology

KARACHI:

Artificial Intelligence should serve as a thinking partner, not a substitute for students, said Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab, at the closing ceremony of Justuju - Rethink School Education with AI, organised by Shahwilayat Educational Trust (SWT).

He stressed that building cognitive depth is slow work, and AI use must be tailored to individual needs for meaningful impact.

Panel discussions explored challenges, opportunities, and ethics in AI use, with demonstrations on how teachers can integrate AI tools to teach smarter. Professor Farid Panjwani of Aga Khan University emphasized understanding the social context of technology, while former senator Javed Jabbar highlighted educational disparities, especially for women.

Experts including Dr Kamran Ahsan (MITE), Dr Akhter Raza (FUUAST/IBA), and Shahid Ashraf (CAIE) noted that AI can aid teachers in administrative tasks but warned of risks such as data privacy and the fear of replacement. They stressed that empathy and curiosity remain irreplaceable. Fahad Jillanee (Synthesis Corp) urged schools to adopt responsible-use policies, while journalist Munazza Siddiqui cautioned that children may lose storytelling skills.

Dr Naveed Yousuf (AKU-EB) and Jawwad Fareed Ahmed (AlChemy Tech) warned against students outsourcing thinking to AI, stressing limits on device use for young children. Demonstrations by Dr Fatima Dar and Dr Mohsin Raza showed how AI could save teachers' time, allowing focus on students' emotional needs.

Guest of Honour Dr Fouzia Khan of the Sindh Education Department said the government was investing in teachers as digital leaders, while Salman Akhtar (Techlogix) noted AI's role in breaking language barriers. The day-long conference was attended by educators, policymakers, and corporate leaders, reaffirming that while AI is here to stay, teachers must upskill to remain central to education.