About
The AI Observatory & Action Lab, a project by EdTech Hub, is working to understand how AI is starting to shape education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Too often, teachers’ voices are missing from these conversations. This initiative is about bringing those voices to the forefront.
The Teacher-in-the-Loop survey was developed as a way to capture how AI is being experienced in real classrooms. It sought to explore the opportunities, challenges, and questions teachers are facing. Our goal was — and is — to make sure teachers’ experiences help shape the policies and tools being developed for education. Through our Teacher-in-the-Loop survey, we gathered critical insights directly from teachers, and are using these findings to help amplify teacher voices and to inform global conversations.
Get in touch with us if you would like to have a deeper conversation with us about your experience as a teacher.
The Survey
Through our Teacher-in-the-Loop survey, we asked teachers for their views on AI in education, and more than 800 responded from 29 countries, including 15 low- and-middle income countries. They ranged from early adopters to the AI-curious and those just starting to explore what’s possible. What stood out most was not just what teachers need, but the role they want to play.
Of the survey respondents, 81% said they would be interested in being part of a group that gives feedback on or helps design new AI tools for teachers. This is a clear signal that teachers want to be part of shaping the future, not just being trained to use tools that were created without them.
Our Approach to Gathering Teacher Perspectives
As part of the data collection, outreach packs were shared with specific communities to extend the reach of the survey. By distributing these packs, teacher perspectives were included in shaping the future of AI in education, rather than the other way around.
Many organisations were already supporting teachers in meaningful ways. This offered another avenue to amplify their voices and strengthen existing work.
It was also noted that many organisations were keen to learn more about AI in education.
There were two ways to get involved:
- Share with a teacher
- Access the outreach packs for teacher and education networks
Reading and Resources on AI for Education
- Bright spots of institutions testing and imagining what’s possible in education service delivery with AI, from East Java to South Africa
- AI Tutors and Teaching: How Might the Role of the Teacher Change in an Age of AI?
- Humanity’s last exam and education in AI
- What do AI futures mean for human connection?
- From chalkboards to chatbots: Transforming learning in Nigeria, one prompt at a time
- With French under fire, Mali uses AI to bring local language to students,
