Artificial Intelligence and Professional Development of School Teachers: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Directions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize the educational sector by introducing new ways of teaching, learning and assessing knowledge to achieve positive learning outcomes. School teachers have turned to AI applications to help them with lesson planning, classroom instruction and management, human skills development, and assessments. This paper aims to analyze the role of artificial intelligence in professional development by examining opportunities and challenges associated with the use of AI in education. The paper will highlight opportunities provided by AI such as personalized professional learning, administrative automation, content personalization, and development of new pedagogical practices. In addition, the paper will also discuss challenges posed by the use of AI such as ethical issues, data privacy and security, algorithmic bias, digital divide, reliance on technology, and need for teachers to acquire new skills among other issues that may affect professional learning among school teachers. The paper will also suggest future directions of AI in professional development. The paper will conclude by asserting that AI should be treated as an assistant, not a replacement for professional development, to enhance school teachers’ professional development and improve school education.