AI in Children’s Education: Tool, Threat, or Turning Point?

The introduction of artificial intelligence is viewed with suspicion in many sectors; however, teachers have embraced the adoption of this technology.

According to the data obtained in a study developed by Novakid, teachers not only do not fear artificial intelligence, but see it as an ally that will enhance English language teaching. Thus, when asked about the use of AI in education, more than half of the teachers surveyed, 51.1%, believe that this technology “expands the way we learn and creates new opportunities.” In fact, “only” 32.1% of those surveyed rated the use of AI in education negatively. This shows that, for teachers, if used properly, artificial intelligence can have a positive impact on English language teaching.

The fact is that, when used properly, this technology can offer many benefits to students. The first and most obvious benefit is 24/7 access to a constantly available source of information. This allows students to clarify their doubts whenever they need to. In addition, Large Language Models (LLMs) are known for their ability to offer a high level of personalisation. This allows them to analyse which concepts a student has mastered and which they haven’t, tailoring the content to their needs.

When it comes to learning English, artificial intelligence helps students by providing immediate feedback, helping them overcome their inhibitions when speaking, and tailoring the teaching approach and content to their preferences.

In fact, teachers’ views on AI are such that only 15.8% of the teachers surveyed consider doing homework with artificial intelligence to be cheating. Most teachers approve of the use of AI as an aid to help students do their homework.

Beyond the fascination with technology, not everything is as rosy as it seems. The rise of artificial intelligence has brought with it a series of threats that traditional education systems have yet to figure out how to address.

There is a legitimate concern spreading through homes and classrooms alike. This is not about giving in to alarmism, but about acknowledging an uncomfortable reality: when a tool so profoundly redefines the way we think and create, it is inevitable that cracks will appear in the security, ethics, and cognitive development of our youngest students.

The most vocal critics have raised concerns on several fronts, but if one stands out above all others, it is the atrophy of critical thinking. Could artificial intelligence cause children to lose sight of the most basic goal of education—understanding the “why” behind things, rather than simply asking for and receiving answers?

Institutions such as the Real Academia de Medicina de España have warned that “excessive use of artificial intelligence weakens our memory and reduces our ability to think critically and solve problems independently.”

Recent studies suggest that delegating writing or summarising tasks to AI drastically reduces the brain’s ability to retain that information in the long term. One example is a research from MIT that highlights an important risk of overusing AI tools in children’s learning. In a study tracking 54 students using brain scans (EEG), those who relied on AI to write showed significantly lower brain activity and weaker memory retention compared to those who worked independently. In fact, many students were unable to recall or quote their own texts just minutes after writing them. This suggests that when children outsource thinking tasks like writing or summarising to AI, they may engage less deeply with the material, making it harder to build lasting knowledge. 

A relationship with technology that can also undermine their tolerance for frustration. The fact is, learning requires effort and intellectual “struggle”. The immediacy of AI can cause children to give up on any task that isn’t solved within seconds.

Furthermore, the information provided by the AI is not entirely accurate. As Rogen Garcia, a teacher at Novakid, says: “information given by AI needs verification. It’s not a 100% fault-free machine, and a learner might not have the ability to verify the information they get. An AI can be a good supplement for learning, such as helping a learner explain a new or complex phrase or sentence. But a human educator is still needed to provide such essential and foundational information for the student.”

AI can weaken the student-teacher relationship. If a child relies solely on AI for answers, the teacher’s role as a mentor is lost, which can be dangerous given AI’s inaccuracies and the tendency to create so-called “echo chambers”, where students are exposed to personalised content that reinforces their preexisting beliefs. 

In addition, it’s important to remember that you’re constantly interacting with a machine, which means you may stop developing so-called soft skills—such as empathy, negotiation skills, and the ability to work in a team.

When it comes to language learning, especially English, AI acts like a flight simulator: it’s excellent for practicing maneuvers, but the risk is believing you already know how to fly before you’ve ever felt the real wind on your face. Language is a human connection, and that’s something no algorithm can fully simulate.

AI can exacerbate reliance on real-time translation and prevent children from thinking about the language they are studying, which can lead students to stop making the mental effort required for grammatical construction.

Are we at a point of no return? The short answer is yes. The introduction of AI into education is not a passing fad. Once a child discovers that they have access to the most personalised sources of information in history, their relationship with schoolwork, teachers, and homework changes completely.

What can be done, then? The first step must be acceptance. Trying to ban AI from classrooms would be like trying to ban the printing press—a lost battle against the evolution of thought. The second step is to analyse the risks of artificial intelligence and identify measures to mitigate them. And the third and final step is to evolve education toward a more human-centered approach that moves beyond the pursuit of accumulating information and instead focuses on developing the judgment to filter it, the ethics to use it, and the curiosity to keep asking questions where the algorithm stops. In this new landscape, what makes us profoundly human—empathy, skepticism, and creativity—ceases to be a complement and becomes the core of educational survival.

The rise of artificial intelligence has fueled speculation that teachers may not be needed in the future. Among English teachers, this speculation has been particularly widespread. However, far from being concerned, English teachers feel that their role is now more important than ever.

As a matter of fact, according to the results of the survey developed by Novakid, the response from teachers is clear: 94.1% of teachers surveyed believe that artificial intelligence will not replace teachers. Teachers continue to believe that the human factor makes a difference when it comes to teaching English to children:

“No. AI can only provide what the student requests. But in most cases, students are not really aware of their educational needs. With a teacher, the moment the student talks to them, they begin to assess the student’s learning needs. And the moment they begin to assess what needs improvement, they are already thinking about what kind of support they can provide to the student!” highlights Rogen Garcia, a teacher at Novakid.

The fact is that while the teacher is no longer the only source of information, he or she is the guide who teaches students how to navigate it.

For their part, parents now play a particularly important role in helping children make the most of artificial intelligence and mitigate its negative impact. It is at home where digital consumption habits and the emotional relationship with technology are formed, and parents must be able to teach the difference between using AI as a tutor and as a substitute. To do this, it is important for parents to sit down with their child to use the tool and teach them how to use it. This will allow the child to develop a healthy relationship with this technology.

As we’ve seen in this article, we’re heading toward a hybrid future in which artificial intelligence will become increasingly prevalent, but in which the role of the English teacher remains essential for guiding children toward an effective education and proper information management. If you’d like to learn more about how technology will shape the future of your children’s education, visit our blog!