AI can support teaching but cannot replace teachers or students’ thinking, says UAE official

Artificial intelligence can strengthen education but cannot replace teachers, independent thinking or the interactions students share with their classmates, a senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) education official has said, underlining the need to keep the human element at the heart of learning.

Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Education, said AI should be used to support and accelerate teaching while improving the overall efficiency of the country’s education system.

In an interview with CNN Business Arabic, Al Qasim stressed that integrating AI into education requires cooperation between technology, teachers and students, rather than allowing digital tools to take over their roles.

“Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for the teacher. Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for the student's mind. Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for students' classmates,” he said.

His remarks highlight the importance of preserving human interaction in classrooms, where teachers guide students through the learning process and encourage them to think critically, develop understanding and exchange ideas with their peers.

Al Qasim said AI could serve as a valuable support tool, helping accelerate teaching and complement the UAE’s education system. Its adoption, he indicated, should enable schools to benefit from technological advances without undermining the role of educators or reducing students’ active participation in learning.

He also emphasised the need to prepare students to work effectively with AI tools and equip them with the knowledge to use the technology responsibly and constructively.

These skills will become increasingly important as students move into higher education and eventually enter the workforce, where the ability to use AI effectively is expected to play a growing role.