Education tends to change slowly—new curriculums take years, and teaching techniques unfold gradually. But every now and again something arrives that revolutionizes the entire system overnight.
Currently, that something is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
It’s not only sliding into education—it’s coming quickly and noisy. And for some commentators, this rapid emergence of AI could be a Black Swan moment—one of those unexpected, high-impact events that transforms everything.
Can AI be the Black Swan effect that revolutionizes the way we learn and teach? Let’s find out.
What’s a Black Swan Moment, and Why Can AI Possibly Be One?
The “Black Swan” is a phrase used to define an unpredictable event that nobody expects—yet when it happens, it makes a big impact.
Think about something like the COVID-19 pandemic or when the internet was invented. Those were Black Swan events that changed how we work and live.
Now, AI is doing the same thing in schools.
Just a handful of years ago, AI software like ChatGPT wasn’t even on the radar for most teachers or students. Fast forward to the present, and students are using them to write essays, do math problems, and even prepare for standardized exams. Teachers are now pondering the ways they can use AI to help with grading, lesson planning, and the like.
This shift wasn’t incremental. It was quick. And that is why it is a possible Black Swan.
In 2023, the Los Angeles Unified School District began a pilot with Khan Academy’s AI tutor, “Khanmigo.” Some hailed it as a breakthrough. Others were concerned about privacy and how it would alter the teacher’s role in the classroom. |
How AI Is Actually Helping Students and Teachers
Let’s be honest—there is plenty of hype surrounding AI. But there is some that is deserved. AI is indeed making a positive difference for both teachers and students in concrete ways.
Personalized Learning
One of the greatest victories is the way AI adjusts to every student. If a student is having trouble with algebra, the AI provides easier problems and additional practice. If a student is advanced in reading, the system can challenge them with more difficult texts. It’s like having a tutor who knows your speed.
Saving Time for Teachers
Teachers already have so much on their to-do list. AI saves the day by grading quizzes, taking the pulse of student performance, and even writing up lesson plans. That leaves time for the good stuff—the things about teaching that make a difference—connection with students.
Enabling Greater Accessibility for Learning
For students with learning differences or language barriers, AI-enabled tools such as speech-to-text, language translation, and real-time feedback can be a lifeline.
Google’s “Read Along” app relies on AI to assist students in learning to read. It’s reached more than 30 million children, particularly in regions where trained teachers are scarce.
But What Could Go Wrong?
For all its promise, AI is not a magic solution. There are legitimate issues we can’t afford to overlook.
Not Everyone Has Access
AI tools need strong internet and updated devices. That’s not available in every school or home. If we’re not careful, AI could widen the gap between students who have access and those who don’t.
What About Student Data?
AI collects a lot of information—how students learn, what mistakes they make, even how they think. But who controls that data? And how is it being used?
The Temptation to Take Shortcuts
If students are going to let AI do their essays or homework for them, are they actually learning? There is a danger of students depending on AI as a crutch rather than a tool.
Early in 2024, New York City schools temporarily prohibited ChatGPT. The reason? Students were cheating with it, and teachers didn’t know how to deal with it. The prohibition was eventually repealed—but only after schools established firm guidelines for the responsible use of AI.
What Teachers and Students Are Really Saying
AI in education isn’t merely a technical problem—it’s intensely personal to those who work with it on a daily basis.
A middle school teacher in Texas compared AI to “a co-teacher who never sleeps.” One high school student conceded, “I don’t even know if this essay is mine anymore. It’s just so easy to let AI do it.
Some kids adore how AI makes learning less stressful. Others worry that it’s making things too easy—or too confusing. Parents are asking big questions, too: Will this help or hurt my child’s future?
Moonpreneur, an online platform for young entrepreneurs, recently added AI to its learning tools. Students reported that the AI feedback allowed them to write better code and grasp difficult concepts more easily, particularly in areas such as Game Development and logic.
How Schools Can Use AI the Right Way
The big question isn’t whether AI will be in classrooms—it’s how we’ll choose to use it. Here’s what a smart, balanced approach could look like:
Create Clear Guidelines
Schools need clear rules about how AI can and can’t be used. What’s fair for homework? How should teachers use it in grading? Having policies helps set expectations for everyone.
Train the Teachers
Many teachers feel overwhelmed by new tech. They need training—not just in how to use AI, but in how to teach alongside it. The goal isn’t to replace them—it’s to empower them.
Keep Checking In
Schools should regularly review how AI is working. Is it improving learning? Are students relying on it too much? What needs to change?
Real-World Example:
Finland is already well ahead of the game. They’ve implemented country-wide training courses to assist educators in applying AI ethically and efficiently. They aim for this simple thing: getting students ready for an AI-saturated world—but with coaching, not foolish adoption.
So, Is AI a Black Swan for Education?
AI could be the most disruption education has experienced in generations. It’s quick, capable, and still changing. It’s thrilling for some. Unsettling for others.
That’s precisely what makes it a possible Black Swan.
We’re at a crossroads. Decisions we make today—regarding access, ethics, and balance—will determine tomorrow’s classrooms. AI exists. The question is: are we ready to shape it before it reshapes us?
What Do You Think?
Is your school implementing AI yet? Do you believe it’s assisting—or detracting—from the way students learn? Regardless of whether you are a parent, teacher, or student, we’d love to hear your opinion.
Let us discuss the future of learning together in the comments below.
Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.
