Why human connection still matters in AI-driven world

Imagine you’re not an expert cook but you need to prepare a dish. Someone provides the ingredients and walks you through the recipe step by step, but you still need to stir the pot with your spatula. In the same way, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool that supports us in achieving our goals, but it’s up to us to use it wisely and ethically. AI is not a replacement for human intelligence. On this International Day of Education, let’s focus on preserving and strengthening human involvement in a rapidly evolving technological world. This year’s theme, ‘AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,’ emphasises the need to retain human creativity and decision-making as AI becomes more embedded in our lives.

“To ensure humans remain in control as AI grows in education, we must prioritise transparency, ethical guidelines, and human oversight. Teachers should guide AI as a tool, not a replacement, with clear decision-making boundaries and the final say. Ongoing training, regular audits, and accountability are essential. AI should enhance creativity, critical thinking, and empathy while fostering collaboration between humans and technology to keep education personalized and focused on students’ needs,” said Harish Sanduja, Director – Schools and IT, Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions.

Kunal Vasudeva, Co - Founder & Managing Director, Indian School of Hospitality, urges all to treat AI like the GPS while driving a car. “The humans must remain in the driver’s seat, steering the learning experience with empathy and intuition. The magic of education lies in human connection—AI should enhance, not overshadow this. Policies requiring transparency in how AI tools work can help ensure they support—not replace—human judgment,” he said.

The global AI market is expected to reach $243.70 billion by 2025, with a projected annual growth rate of 27.67% from 2025 to 2030, leading to a market size of $826.70 billion by 2030. AI’s influence is rapidly expanding across sectors such as education, jobs, and healthcare. However, most educators agree that AI can never truly replace human intelligence. “Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity,” said Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and IT Professor at the Graduate School of Business.

AI is making its way into classrooms, delivering personalised learning at incredible speed. But does this raise concerns about losing the human touch? Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech, referred to a study by his organisation revealing that 64.87% of educators believe AI enhances learning when used to support, not replace, human effort. He also highlighted that in this evolving landscape, the role of teachers remains critical. “Teachers will play an even greater role as facilitators of critical thinking, empathy, and interpersonal skills—qualities AI cannot replicate. To safeguard human agency, schools and universities must adopt hybrid learning models where AI handles routine tasks like content delivery or assessments, while educators focus on emotional and intellectual engagement. Globally, in countries like Finland and Singapore, teacher-guided AI applications are being used to blend AI-driven personalization with active teacher participation. The future lies in collaboration between human judgment and machine efficiency, not replacement,” he said.

Earlier, if you were painting and found yourself stuck, you would work through the challenge on your own, seek advice from someone, or refer to other artworks for inspiration. Now, that inspiration is just a click away. Now, Generative AI can step into help. While this support can be valuable, relying too much on AI risks diminishing our own creativity. Instead of using it as a tool for inspiration, we may become overly dependent, losing touch with our creative instincts. Atul Datta, IT Head, GD Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, believes AI can help teach creativity by acting as a tool for inspiration, exploration, and skill-building. “For example, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can generate prompts for writing or brainstorming, helping users think outside the box. Similarly, AI in design platforms can suggest innovative layouts, color palettes, or styles based on user inputs. AI can also simulate scenarios or challenges, encouraging problem-solving and lateral thinking. For instance, in art or music, AI can create unique compositions, sparking new ideas or collaborations,” he said.

For Dr Silpi Sahoo, chairperson of SAI International Education Group, AI serves as a catalyst for creative exploration, providing prompts and alternative perspectives while preserving the unique human touch in the final output. “Tools such as OpenAI’s DALL-E and ChatGPT illustrate AI’s potential in generating creative content. However, true creativity in education emerges through collaboration, where AI acts as a facilitator in the creative process, enhancing rather than overshadowing the human touch. As educators, our mission is not to fear AI but to shape its development in a manner that respects human agency.”