Using artificial intelligence to mitigate global teacher shortage

Purpose This viewpoint addresses the systemic global teacher crisis – driven by burnout, unsustainable workloads and administrative attrition – and explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to reduce non-academic tasks. This piece argues that by using AI to help with administrative burdens, education systems can improve teacher retention, enhance individual student engagement and even support democracy. Design/methodology/approach This piece uses a conceptual and synthesis-based approach, combining a review of current literature with the author's firsthand narrative reflections as a veteran educator and teacher trainer. Findings The piece identifies the root causes of the teacher shortage: the overwhelming volume of non-instructional work. The analysis of the literature supports the use of AI tools to unburden teachers from non-instructional work gaining time to build robust relationships with students, increase the individualization of instruction, all of which can lead to better meeting the learning needs of their students. Finally, it allows for a better life–work balance that can mitigate teacher attrition and attract more quality candidates. Research limitations/implications This is a viewpoint article, and although it is supported by a robust review of relevant literature, it does not put forward new empirical evidence. Practical implications The practical implications of the piece focus on reforming the daily operations of educators' work by integrating AI to eliminate up to six hours of administrative workload per week, thereby reducing teacher burnout and mitigating the global shortage. Social implications The social implications center on safeguarding democratic foundations by stabilizing an endangered education system. Restoring work–life balance through AI helps attract and retain qualified teachers, preventing the systemic collapse of public schooling. Originality/value The originality of this piece is in its unique view of how to mitigate the teacher shortage by embracing AI tools rather than fear them. By using relevant national and international literature in conjunction with the authentic, lived perspective of a veteran educator, the piece provides a fresh approach to combatting the teacher shortage.