The recent policy proposal of the UK’s new Labour government to allow teachers to work from home has sparked debates about the future of education. Is this move paving the way for an irreversible slide towards AI automation, or is it simply a nod to the realities of modern work-life balance? While AI offers benefits in streamlining information and automating tasks, teaching, as any seasoned educator will tell you, is about much more than delivering content.

AI in education is not the future—it’s already here. Teachers are increasingly relying on AI tools to assist with creative tasks and automate routine aspects of their work. From lesson planning to personalised learning, AI has made significant strides in supporting educators. It’s now possible to generate lesson plans, suggest learning activities, and create tailored content with just a few keystrokes. However, these digital wonders don’t render teachers obsolete. Instead, they liberate educators to focus on what really matters: student engagement, understanding, and occasionally reminding students that Wikipedia is not a primary source.

There’s no algorithm for empathy

The policy, which would give teachers the flexibility to work from home, has sparked both applause and anxiety. On one hand, it acknowledges the new normal—especially in a post-pandemic world where flexibility isn’t just nice to have but necessary. On the other hand, it raises the question: could remote teaching, enhanced by AI, eventually lead us to a future where in-person educators are an endangered species? The answer lies in recognising that there’s no algorithm for empathy.

One of the most celebrated uses of AI in education is personalised learning. AI can customize lessons to fit the learning style and pace of each student. Visual learners receive more graphics, while those inclined towards games get more interactive content. This level of personalisation is a modern marvel that a teacher juggling thirty restless minds would find challenging to replicate on their own. Yet even with all this technological wizardry, AI still can’t quite manage a reassuring nod or a knowing smile when a student is struggling. Only a human teacher can provide the kind of encouragement that AI, for all its machine learning, simply cannot.

Teaching is not just about the transfer of knowledge; it’s about connection. A good teacher understands a student’s fears, aspirations, and perhaps most importantly, when they’re only pretending to be on mute in a Zoom class. AI can help streamline lesson delivery, but it lacks the nuance required to inspire, motivate, or convince a teenager that yes, you really do need to learn quadratic equations. The essential human touch remains irreplaceable.

An adaptation to a changing world

As education evolves, the role of teachers is shifting from information providers to learning facilitators—a fancy way of saying that teachers are now less about lecturing and more about guiding students through the maze of information at their fingertips. The key is creating an engaging environment that promotes resilience, critical thinking, and the occasional “aha!” moment that no machine can manufacture. Teachers also play a crucial role in the emotional well-being of students, ensuring they feel supported, especially when the homework gets tough and Google doesn’t have the answers.

The new government’s policy of flexible working doesn’t spell doom for traditional teaching but highlights an adaptation to a changing world. AI and remote work are here to stay, but their purpose is to augment, not replace, the irreplaceable connection between teachers and students. The debate over whether AI will replace teachers often overlooks a simple truth: the heart of education is human, and no amount of coding can change that.

MPW: A case study in adaptation without abandoning the classroom

During the pandemic, our experience was a demonstration in how an education system could pivot to online learning while keeping its core values intact. As one of the first institutions to move fully online, our approach was a lesson in how technology can be harnessed to maintain high-quality education in a crisis. Yet, this wasn’t about replacing the classroom—it was about keeping learning going when circumstances demanded it.

Our rapid adaptation showcased the potential of remote learning, but it was never a call to replace in-person teaching altogether. Our success lay in showing that while technology can keep lessons flowing, it’s the teachers who keep students engaged, motivated, and occasionally awake during early morning classes. The digital shift was necessary, but we remain firm believers in the value of face-to-face interaction, where spontaneous discussions, group work, and the occasional misplaced pen are part of the learning experience.

Rather than advocating for a permanent move to remote teaching, our experience emphasizes that while online learning is a valuable tool, it should remain just that—a tool, not a substitute. The pandemic highlighted the flexibility and resilience of the education system, but MPW stands by the belief that the classroom is irreplaceable. Teachers are not just dispensers of knowledge; they are mentors, motivators, and the occasional referee of classroom debates that would leave even the best AI stumped.

This approach during the pandemic serves as a reminder that while AI and remote learning can support education, the heart of teaching lies in human interaction. The future of education will be defined not by the devices in our hands but by the connections we forge, the laughter we share, and the lessons learned—both academic and otherwise.