AI For the Better by Gamaliel

AI For the Better by Gamaliel - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

The Future of Education: Using AI for the Better

Education has always been about preparing people for the future, and the future is changing faster than ever. Over the next ten years, I hope to see education become more personalized, accessible, and innovative—especially through the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). Too often, AI is seen only as a tool for shortcuts or cheating, but I believe it has the potential to become one of the greatest assets in helping students learn more deeply, teachers teach more effectively, and schools adapt to the needs of every learner.

Personalized Learning for Every Student

Right now, classrooms often follow a one-size-fits-all model. A teacher may have thirty students, but each one learns differently—some are visual learners, some are hands-on learners, and others need repetition and extra time. Unfortunately, the pace of a traditional classroom cannot always adjust to every individual’s needs.

With AI, I see education shifting toward true personalization. Imagine a student who struggles in math but excels in reading. Instead of falling behind or losing confidence, AI tools could analyze where they are struggling and suggest targeted practice problems, hints, or videos designed for their learning style. On the other hand, a student who is advanced in science could be challenged with higher-level material so they stay motivated. In the next decade, I hope AI helps education become less about fitting into a mold and more about bringing out the best in each student.

Supporting Teachers, Not Replacing Them

Another change I hope to see is the way AI supports teachers. Teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world, but it is also one of the hardest. Teachers spend hours grading, making lesson plans, and organizing materials—time that could be spent directly with students.

AI could take on some of those repetitive tasks, freeing teachers to focus on what matters most: building relationships and inspiring curiosity. For example, AI could help grade multiple-choice assignments quickly, track classroom performance trends, or suggest resources for struggling students. However, the teacher would remain at the center, guiding students with empathy, wisdom, and creativity—things no machine can replace.

Expanding Access to Education Worldwide

In the next ten years, I also hope education becomes more accessible to people everywhere. Right now, millions of students around the world face barriers such as lack of resources, limited teachers, or remote locations. AI-powered platforms could bring high-quality education to places that have been overlooked.

Imagine a small village where students don’t have access to advanced math or science teachers. With AI-driven lessons, those students could still receive interactive, adaptive learning experiences that match their needs. This could close the gap between wealthy and under-resourced communities and give more students the chance to reach their potential.

Teaching Students to Use AI Responsibly

Of course, with new technology comes responsibility. One of the most important changes I hope to see in education is teaching students how to use AI wisely—not as a way to cut corners, but as a tool for growth. AI should not be used to write essays, solve homework automatically, or replace thinking. Instead, it should be used for analysis, brainstorming, and exploring new ideas.

For example, AI can help a student study by summarizing a chapter so they can review it more effectively. It can suggest practice questions or simulate real-world scenarios. It can even help students explore careers by showing how different skills connect to different paths. By teaching young people how to use AI responsibly, schools will prepare them for a world where technology is part of almost every career.

Preparing for a Changing Future

The world students are entering is full of rapid change. Jobs that exist today may disappear tomorrow, and entirely new careers will be born. In the next ten years, I hope education shifts to focus not only on memorizing facts, but also on problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, and digital literacy. AI can be a powerful partner in this shift, giving students opportunities to experiment, test ideas, and see immediate feedback.

The next decade offers an exciting opportunity to transform education into something more personal, more supportive, and more accessible than ever before. AI should not be feared or misused—it should be embraced as a tool to help students learn better, teachers teach better, and communities grow stronger.

I do not hope for a future where students rely on AI to do their work. I hope for a future where students use AI to think more deeply, explore more widely, and prepare more fully for the challenges ahead. Education, after all, is about unlocking potential—and AI, if used wisely, has the power to help every student shine.