Dear Readers,

The future of education: This is going to change the world.

Artificial intelligence is all the buzz nowadays. But to what extent will it change how schooling is conducted and what students learn?

First, let’s start with how it affects teachers.

On the surface, AI helps teachers enormously. By creating lesson plans and assessments, grading assignments, and communicating with parents and students alike, AI makes teachers’ jobs easier.

But what about the unforeseen consequences?

If AI can already handle so many teaching tasks, how long until it can actually teach?

At the current rate of progress, it won’t be long before some public schools adopt AI-driven instruction, reducing teachers to class monitors rather than educators.

AI is becoming so advanced that it can prompt itself to generate lesson plans tailored to each student, regardless of their age or background.

While ed‑tech companies and school districts will likely salivate over a more efficient way to deliver content with fewer staff members, is this truly best for students?

As previously noted, student success often begins and ends at home. Without a solid home life—parents and grandparents who care about their progress and hold them accountable—no level of schooling can penetrate the thick wall of adolescent stubbornness.

Taking that into account, can we really expect better outcomes?

Sticking students at computers for eight hours a day cannot be good for them. We already know the adverse effects of excessive screen time in the context of social media and video gaming; there’s little reason to believe more “educational” screen time will yield better results.

This spawns another prevalent issue.

Educational equity.

If more schools adopt AI-driven teaching methods, it will become the norm, prompting districts nationwide to divert funds toward AI learning schemes. However, not all schools receive equal funding: larger districts often have more resources, making it easier to justify purchasing high‑end AI hardware. Smaller districts may be unable to afford an all‑AI rollout, deepening the gap and denying many students access to these tools.

Finally, to what extent can we even control AI?

We do not yet fully understand all the capabilities of artificial intelligence. How will local, state, and federal governments regulate—if at all—its use? Some states may outlaw AI in schools, while others champion its integration across all industries, including education. But you cannot write policies for something you do not fully grasp.

You cannot.

Ultimately, over‑adoption of AI in schools would harm everyone involved.

Excessive reliance on AI would lead districts and administrators to believe it can replace teachers—something it will never achieve.

A good teacher connects with students on a personal level. AI cannot replicate that.

A teacher who relies too heavily on AI risks demonstrating a lack of subject‑matter mastery and the work ethic required to craft meaningful learning experiences.

I’m not saying AI can’t be a helpful tool, but depending on it for half of your job is not the solution.

What we need is to move away from technology and return to tradition.

Classic pencil and paper—heck, you could even add a textbook.

Students need to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the real world; an AI‑driven education does not serve that goal.

Embracing tried‑and‑true educational methods is the only way America can reclaim its position as a leader in academic excellence.

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Thanks for reading!

I appreciate you taking the time to engage with these ideas, and I hope this newsletter gave you something to think about.

If you want to dig deeper, you can check out my website, where I share more thoughts on education, politics, and culture. On this masterpiece of a website, I keep a reading list of books that have shaped my thinking.

I also have a YouTube channel where I post the most entertaining and edifying videos online.

Finally, my podcast, The Modern Republic with Nathaniel Stryker, where I attempt to appear intelligent and knowledgeable on every issue under the sun.