Survey Reveals Teachers' Uncertainty in Utilizing AI Tools

As students increasingly grow up surrounded by the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a notable gap exists regarding educators' comfort and competence with these technologies. A recent survey conducted by the Robert Bosch Foundation, presented at an event in Stuttgart, highlights this disparity.

According to the findings of the German School Barometer, approximately 62% of teachers in Germany express feelings of insecurity when it comes to using AI tools such as ChatGPT. This uncertainty is reflected in their infrequent application of these technologies in the classroom, with more than half of the respondents indicating that they utilize AI tools less than once a month. Notably, nearly one-third of teachers refrain from using AI altogether.

When AI tools are employed, they are primarily utilized for creating assignments or planning lessons. However, many teachers harbor concerns about the potential negative impacts AI may have on students. About 62% of those who used AI last year fear that it could adversely affect the social and communicative skills of their students, as well as their critical thinking abilities.

Conversely, a significant portion of educators acknowledges the benefits of AI in addressing the individual learning needs of their students, with 65% viewing this as a positive aspect of AI integration in education. This dual perspective underscores the complex implications of AI in educational settings.

Experts are advocating for enhanced training opportunities for teachers to better equip them in navigating the role of AI in education. Dagmar Wolf from the Robert Bosch Foundation emphasized the necessity for educators to gain firsthand experience with these technologies. She argued that systematic training programs are essential for fostering a reflective and responsible approach to AI among both teachers and students.

The German School Barometer has been conducting regular representative surveys regarding the state of schools in Germany since 2019. For this latest survey, conducted between November 11 and December 2, 2024, a total of 1,540 teachers from general and vocational schools participated, with a margin of error of three percentage points.