Jalandhar: Experts said that teachers are the backbone of the education system.
Jalandhar: The annual Principals’ Meet, organized in collaboration with Chitkara University on Friday, primarily focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing impact on education. The event saw participation from principals and teachers of prominent schools, who shared their views on how AI is transforming teaching and learning. Renowned psychologist and career counselor Adi Garg delivered an insightful keynote address, emphasizing that the future lies not in AI versus humans, but in humans working with AI. He said, “AI is not here to replace teachers; it’s here to ease their burden,” and added that the real question is not whether AI will impact education, but whether education is ready for AI. Highlighting the changing learning patterns of students, Garg said that today’s students learn quickly, get bored easily, and often prefer learning from platforms like YouTube rather than traditional books. “The biggest challenge is the preparedness of teachers,” he said, adding, “Teachers are the backbone of the education system.” Quoting Bill Gates, Garg said, “When Microsoft was founded, Gates acknowledged that technology is just a tool and teachers will always be superior to it.” He further added, “Technology can open doors, but nothing can replace teachers.”
Kiranjot Dhillon of Cambridge Innovative School termed the topic highly relevant and said, “AI is already here. It is a facilitator and will not replace teachers. Government initiatives like incorporating AI and entrepreneurship in Classes 11 and 12 will greatly benefit students in shaping their careers.” Expressing similar sentiments, Shalu Sehgal of Innocent Hearts School said that technology cannot be ignored and emphasized the need to balance IQ, EQ, and SQ with technological advancements. She added, “Teachers have already proven their adaptability during the Covid-19 pandemic.” Sanjukta Majumdar from Doon Public School, Mukerian, stated that AI is a tool whose effectiveness depends on how well it is integrated with human capabilities. She also raised concerns about the environmental impact of AI, noting that increased energy consumption and e-waste contribute significantly to carbon emissions. She said, “As we embrace AI, we must also incorporate environmental sustainability into AI education and encourage students to develop energy-efficient models.”
Ritu Chawla from St. Soldier Elite School emphasized that technology has both positive and negative aspects, and its impact depends on responsible use. Ugramohan Yadav from KV-2 Jalandhar Cantt compared AI to social media, calling it a powerful tool that should be used to enhance knowledge. Mamta Behal from Seth Hukum Chand School cautioned against over-reliance on AI, stressing that students should continue to utilize their critical thinking and creativity. Sharing her experience, Radhika Gambhir from St. Joseph’s Convent School said the seminar was informative and well-organized, providing insights into both AI and Chitkara University. Pravesh Kumar from La Blossom School said the session enhanced his understanding of the NISHTHA program and clarified several concepts related to AI. Sandeep Verma from Army Public School described AI as a revolution that can help students understand things better. The meeting concluded with the consensus that AI is essential in education, but its success depends on knowledgeable teachers, responsible use, and balanced integration with human values.
