When people talk about AI in schools, the conversation often focuses on the negatives—like students using AI to complete their assignments. But the truth is, AI has the potential to transform education in profoundly positive ways.
As a father, I often hear from my kids and their friends about the disconnect between the guidance school counselors provide and the actual needs of students based on their career aspirations. The challenge is scale—counselors simply can’t proactively support hundreds or thousands of students. AI, however, can continuously monitor, learn, and adapt its recommendations to each student’s evolving goals and circumstances. In this way, AI becomes a kind of educational life coach.
Imagine a student who’s passionate about a particular field and wants to understand what academic adjustments they should make. With AI, they could ask questions ranging from what courses to take to what a typical day looks like in that profession. AI could even suggest—or advise against—certain career paths based on a student’s personality and strengths.
Another exciting possibility is AI as a personal school guidance counselor. Picture it’s your first day of college: AI could help you find your classes, share insider tips about campus life, tell you where to park, and point out social events or meetups. The New York Times recently highlighted how OpenAI is working to make this a reality HERE.
Our education system is designed to teach the knowledge needed for specific roles, but one of the most valuable skills is learning how to learn. Rarely does someone walk straight from school into a job without needing real-world experience. AI could help bridge that gap by simulating real-world scenarios that align with academic concepts—essentially offering a virtual internship experience.
There are many more game-changing innovations on the horizon thanks to AI. My advice? Focus on the opportunities, not the fears. Change is coming, whether we’re ready or not—and it’s full of potential.