AI and machine learning in K-12 education

Artificial intelligence (AI) in education has sparked intense discussion, but technology has long been part of the learning experience. From the TI-82 calculators used in high school math classes to tablets helping elementary students learn the alphabet, digital tools have steadily transformed how students learn and how teachers teach. Today, AI represents the next phase of that transformation.

In 2025, 60% of teachers say they use AI for work, and 32% do so at least once a week.¹ This technology can help with everything from writing discussion questions about Macbeth to grading essays. While saving teachers’ time is a major benefit, using AI in education can also make learning more flexible and personalized for students.

This post explores the advantages and potential challenges of using AI in education.

How AI and machine learning enhance personalized learning

Students have different learning needs and paces. Some students might only need to hear a calculus teacher explain differentiation once to master it, while other students might need visual aids and practice problems.

Even the most diligent teachers can’t customize their lesson plans for every student, especially in large classes. AI-powered learning systems can help to fill this gap by adapting to the user’s individual needs.

For example, Alpha School uses AI tutors for personalized learning. The K-12 private school network uses machine learning algorithms to study each student’s strengths and weaknesses, and then it adapts the content to match their pace.² Someone who whizzes through math tests could get more advanced practice problems, while a student who needs writing support might receive extra grammar lessons.

AI can also provide immediate feedback and support versus a teacher who might need a few days to grade a stack of spelling tests. This helps students know what they need to focus on right away so they can study better.

AI-powered tools in K-12 education

Teachers may already be using ChatGPT to write emails and word problems, but that’s only scratching the surface of what this technology can do. Here are a few educational AI tools to explore:³

• Virtual assistants to help with scheduling meetings, lesson planning, and other routine tasks
• Smart tutors for one-on-one support 
• Gamification software to make learning more engaging 
• Assessment and grading systems to measure student performance and give feedback quickly

Improving teacher efficiency with AI 

Teachers who frequently use educational AI tools save an average of six hours a week, which is almost an entire school day. Over a school year, Gallup estimates that these time savings can add up to around six weeks.¹ That means educators have significantly more time to spend interacting with students.

Around four out of five teachers say AI saves them time when doing administrative tasks.¹ For example, they might use AI to draft reports about students who need extra support or to design handouts for a unit on poetry.

AI-powered data analytics tools like Tableau help teachers better understand student performance to react more effectively. If the data shows that half the class is struggling with writing thesis statements, the instructor could create more activities to help them.

Benefits for students 

When used strategically, these tools can positively impact learning. Here are a few benefits of bringing this educational technology into the classroom:³

• Helps students get the resources and support they need to thrive 
• Provides real-time feedback, so students are less likely to fall behind
• Supports students with diverse learning needs 
• Gives students more face time with teachers when teachers aren’t distracted by administrative tasks

For example, sixth-grade teachers in Franklin Square, New York, use AI to create multiple versions of a text for students at different reading levels and even to translate materials into Spanish for English as a second language (ESL) learners.⁴ While they could do this without AI, the technology makes personalizing learning much less time-consuming.

Challenges of implementing AI in K-12

While there are plenty of practical machine learning classroom applications, using this technology comes with a few concerns.

Data security and privacy concerns are two of the biggest challenges. As Daniel Buck at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute notes, AI educational tools require “access to vast sums of private, personal data: messages, family history, GPS location, previous attendance records, and biometric and basic identifying information.”⁵ Teachers should be transparent about how they use this technology and always get permission from parents before inputting student data into AI systems.

Many educators also express concerns about how AI is affecting student learning. A 2025 Center for Democracy & Technology Report found that 71% of teachers worry that AI can harm critical thinking skills.⁶

Focusing on using AI as a supplement—not a replacement—for hands-on learning may help address these concerns and reduce resistance to AI in education.

Future of AI and machine learning in education 

The use of AI to create assessments and activities is one growing trend. In the long term, this time-saving application may allow teachers to focus more on individual instruction. This is especially popular in special education, with over half of special education teachers using AI to create individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. Plus, many schools are teaching AI literacy to help students use it responsibly.⁶

Despite the potential benefits, the majority of parents express concern about how schools use technology and their children’s data.⁶ As AI in education becomes more popular, the need for ethical guidelines and tools that respect student privacy will continue to grow.

Become a tech leader in a K-12 classroom 

AI in education can improve your teaching practices and the student learning experience. Prepare to use innovative technology in the classroom with the online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences. This program teaches advanced instructional strategies and tools that you can start using in the classroom right away. You’ll build a professional portfolio and collaborate with fellow educators as you learn how to develop flexible curricula.

KU also offers an online Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and an online graduate certificate in TESOL. The flexible eight-week courses will teach you how to support English language learners and use technology to help them develop reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Continue your educational journey by exploring our admissions requirements, or reach out to an admissions outreach advisor to learn more about how the University of Kansas can support your professional development.