AI Professors are the Third Evolution in Delivering Education

AI has not only entered schools through students—is it now being used as a teaching assistant. Will AI be poised to replace teachers and professors altogether?

The first evolution of education

Many of my readers can recall graduating from a traditional university, some not so long ago. My own experience was on a beautiful campus nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, complete with the usual classrooms and labs. I’d go to my locker, grab the textbook for my next class, and walk to a room where a single teacher would stand at the front to deliver an interactive lecture. They would answer questions, help students who needed support, and administer tests based on the curriculum. This style of education has persisted for over two hundred years.

The second evolution of education

As technology advanced, a teaching evolution occurred. A new mode of learning emerged—fully accredited online universities. These institutions allowed anyone to enroll in globally accessible programs, learn at their own pace, and use a variety of methods in a cost-effective way. Around 1996, the first of these—Jones International University—appeared. Since 2000, online education has grown by 900%, and the global eLearning market is projected to reach $400 billion by 2026.

The third evolution of education

So, let me pose a question: is there a path for AI to begin teaching students, with professors taking on the role of agentic managers?

Curated curriculums based on real world problems. First, we would need to train the AI on the course curriculum. This is relatively straightforward, as universities already have structured programs for teaching certification, including ethics and adaptive teaching strategies for different learner types. AI can “watch” thousands of hours of recorded course delivery, “read” every textbook and supplementary research material, and even “take” all the tests students would face to demonstrate mastery of the subject.

But we don’t need to conform to traditional norms. Have you ever wondered why we separate subjects into distinct courses like math, physics, astronomy, genetics, and computer science? These are human-made classifications, taught by experts who spend a lifetime mastering a single field. With AI, these distinctions are no longer necessary—it can master all fields. AI can rewrite core syllabi and create custom materials tailored to the exact level of knowledge a student needs to become competent in a specific skill set.

For example, if new environmental legislation is introduced, an AI could build a course combining biology, chemistry, geology, and law to turn a law student into a specialist.

Adaptive learning curriculum will be the norm. Based on the student’s current skills, the course would be 'customized' to build on existing knowledge, avoiding redundant content simply because “it’s part of the curriculum.” This means, each student could receive a unique, personalized course load tailored to their abilities and goals.

Adaptive course delivery will ensure higher student grades. During course delivery, the AI can adapt its teaching style to match the student’s preferred learning method—appearance, voice, language, and more. Some students may prefer detailed explanations, while others might favor bullet points and reading. The AI will accommodate both.

Maintain academic integrity. Any questions students have can be answered with academic integrity, as the AI will reference peer-reviewed sources. Testing can also be adaptive, with the AI identifying areas where the student struggles and adjusting assessments accordingly.

So, what will happen to our beloved brick-and-mortar schools? Just as online universities drew millions of students and dollars away from traditional institutions, this trend will continue. Professors will shift toward managing AIs and validating content delivery. Schools will compete based on the effectiveness of their AI systems in delivering innovative programs and the outcomes their students achieve.

Human involvement will still be essential. Professors will need to assist AI in lab work and practical applications. We don’t yet have autonomous robots that can replace a car’s spark plug or ensure a student surgeon is holding a scalpel correctly inside a cadaver.

The real question now is: how soon will this become reality?

A third evolution is already underway. This semester an AI avatar with real-time facial expressions, lip-syncing, and a range of emotive body language has been created to assist a Canadian professor in teaching a class on the history and ethical challenges of AI. If students have questions about what an AI might think, they can simply ask—or even engage in a philosophical debate.

Historically, universities are slow and bureaucratic when it comes to change. Many professors are tenured and considered the foremost experts in their fields. They may struggle to adapt to this new teaching model. Additionally, some students will still prefer the traditional classroom experience. Much like the early days of online universities, traditional institutions will continue to lose market share—only now, at an accelerated pace.

Online and hybrid universities will find it much easier to adopt this model.

IT firms like CTECH are already laying the groundwork to help educators elevate their roles and deliver these services. There will likely be a race to discover the right balance of student acceptance and accreditation for AI-led course delivery.