More than four-fifths of sixth-formers think a human being is a better teacher than a robot could ever be, according to survey findings published today.

The same proportion rated the personal relationship they have with their teachers as important. 

Robot teachers have been put forward as potential solutions to high teacher workload, as well as the recruitment and retention crisis facing the profession.

But the poll of around 500 16-18-year-olds in state and independent schools showed that many pupils felt that using artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching would deprive them of human contact and inspiration, and provide them with less attention and emotional support.

Some students feared robot teachers could be hacked and produce false information, or find out pupils’ personal details.

Others feared a standardisation of education, a reduction of creativity -  and boredom. One said: ‘I can’t imagine a robot teaching philosophy - in fact, the thought sickens me.”

‘Robots cannot inspire students’

Another respondent said: “Robots cannot inspire students. The interaction between student and teacher cannot be matched by an AI teacher who is not truly present. Give me a human every time!”

Several said they would miss the fun and in-depth conversations they had with their teachers.

However, when asked, “How do you think a robot might be better than a teacher in the classroom?” typical responses included more knowledge and better organisation.

The poll was carried out by the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), ahead of its Spring Conference on Wednesday, at which attendees will discuss AI and virtual reality in education. 

In the survey, just 12 per cent of respondents reported feeling excited about the possibilities of AI teachers.

Two-fifths of respondents thought they knew more about AI and its uses than their teachers.

And nearly a quarter thought the rise of AI had affected the career they were thinking of pursuing, and 43 per cent were worried that it may be harder to get a job due to AI.

Chris King, HMC chair and head of Leicester Grammar School, said:  “Nothing can replace the magic that happens when an enthusiastic teacher and a willing pupil are in the room together. It is gratifying that pupils value the human relationship with their teachers and care is needed to make sure that it is never compromised.

“Whilst exciting developments are taking place, we will have to wait a long time for robots to be able to empathise with teenagers and draw on their own experience to bring a subject alive. Teaching is much more than passing on information.”

AI ‘will bring dramatic changes’

Professor Rose Luckin, professor of learning with digital technologies at University College, London, said of the HMC findings: “I agree with the majority of students who do not believe that a robot can take the place of a human teacher.

“However, AI enhancement would be able to assist teachers to spend more time applying their human expertise on high-quality interactions with their students.

“The increased use of AI in the workplace and in life is something that schools absolutely must start considering, because the development of AI that can learn academic knowledge faster and more accurately than humans has brought about a situation that requires us urgently to make some dramatic and significant changes to our approach to education.”