CEO speaks: The Human Touch: Preserving Human Agency in AI-Driven Learning
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has sparked a global conversation about the future of learning. As AI-driven tools become more prevalent, from personalised learning platforms to automated grading systems, we are at a critical juncture in how education systems need to evolve. Will AI enhance human agency or erode it? How can education systems ensure that learners remain not just users of technology but also creators and critical thinkers? As we celebrate the International Day of Education on January 24, these are a few critical questions that we must deliberate upon.
Now, the question is not whether AI will transform education—it already has and shall continue to do so well into the future. The question, however, is how we can shape this transformation to empower, rather than diminish human agency. Policymakers, educators, technologists, and students must ideate and collaborate to create an educational paradigm where AI serves as a tool for liberation, not a mechanism of control.
AI offers transformative possibilities in education. Adaptive learning platforms analyse a student’s progress in real time, tailoring lessons to their unique needs. Virtual tutors can provide round-the-clock assistance, while AI-driven analytics offer educators insights into classroom dynamics, enabling proactive interventions. These advancements promise inclusivity, efficiency, and accessibility on a scale previously unimaginable.
AI-powered tools have made significant strides in bridging learning gaps for students with disabilities. Speech-to-text programmes enable seamless classroom participation for hearing-impaired students, while AI-driven learning aids help those with dyslexia navigate the challenges of traditional education systems. These innovations underscore AI’s potential to democratise education.
However, this technological revolution, along with well demonstrated benefits, also poses significant risks. Over-reliance on AI can inadvertently diminish human agency in the learning process. When algorithms determine what a student learns, how they learn, and even assess their abilities, the role of human judgment—both of educators and learners—can be sidelined. Moreover, the data-driven nature of AI systems often prioritises quantifiable outcomes over holistic growth. Can an algorithm truly assess creativity, empathy or resilience? These are the very attributes that define human potential but are notoriously difficult to measure. If education is reduced to a mere optimisation problem, we risk producing a generation of algorithm-dependent learners, who lack the critical thinking skills to question or innovate beyond predefined parameters. Is that what is desirable?
In a world of automation, the role of educators becomes even more critical, not less. Teachers must shift from being mere conveyors of information to facilitators of learning, mentors who nurture curiosity and guide students in interpreting and challenging AI-driven outputs. Take, for example, the emergence of tools like ChatGPT in classrooms. While students can use such tools to generate essays or solve problems, the educator’s role is to encourage critical engagement: Why was this approach chosen? What biases might influence the tool’s response? This form of meta-learning—learning to learn—will be indispensable in an AI-powered world.
To preserve human agency, education must emphasise skills that AI cannot replicate. Emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, creativity, and the ability to navigate ambiguity are critical. These are the qualities that make us uniquely human and will remain essential in a workforce increasingly augmented by AI. The Finnish education system, long known for its student-centric approach, is already adapting to this reality. By integrating coding and AI literacy into early curricula, they ensure students are not just passive users of technology but informed participants in shaping its applications. At the same time, they emphasise soft skills like collaboration and problem-solving, creating a balanced educational ecosystem.
We require a renewed focus on pedagogy that balances technological proficiency with timeless human values. It means fostering a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and ethical reflection, where students are equipped to not only coexist with AI but also to question and improve it.
As we navigate this era of rapid technological change, let us remember that the goal of education has always been to create thoughtful, capable, and compassionate individuals. AI is a tool and indeed a remarkable one but the human mind remains the most powerful force for innovation and progress!
The author is the Group CEO of Techno India Group, a visionary and an educator. Beyond his corporate role, he is also a mentor who guides students towards resilience and self-discovery
