The arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) represents a major transformation for education, comparable to the upheavals brought about by the invention of the book, the calculator and the computer. Each technological revolution has sparked similar reactions among teachers: some have accepted the change, others have initially rejected it, preferring familiarity, stability and proven methods. Also, each technological revolution comes to solve an issue or fill a need that was present during the time.
The Invention of the Book in Ancient Greece
By Some Greek philosophers, notably Plato, the student of Socrates, feared that learners would rely too heavily on the written word at the expense of memory, as tradition relied on oral transmission from master to student.
In his article “Writing, Orality, and Learning: ChatGPT and Plato’s Phaedrus” (May 2, 2023), Elie Allouche reflects on the links between writing, orality, learning, and digital technologies. He draws on the famous passage from Plato’s Phaedrus where Socrates criticizes writing. According to Plato, writing (invented by the Egyptian god Theuth) risks creating the illusion of knowledge and weakening memory, unlike oral transmission and the direct teacher-student relationship, which he saw as the only guarantees of true learning.
However, the use of the book soon became undeniable due to the need for information transmission: it allowed knowledge to be preserved and disseminated on a large scale, translated, and documented for future generations. The integration of the book was not instantaneous, but teachers eventually adapted their practices, making the book a pillar of education.
Calculators, Computers, and the Internet: Key Milestones
The introduction of the calculator (the Pascaline) in 1642 by mathematician Blaise Pascal also sparked concerns; some feared students would lose the ability to perform mental arithmetic. Again, rules for use were established, and the calculator became an essential pedagogical tool. The Pascaline met a specific need at the time: helping tax collectors perform additions and subtractions automatically through a system of geared wheels.
By Jason Leung on Unsplash
The arrival of the computer in the early 20th century and the subsequent rise of the Internet marked a new breaking point. The computer was invented to automate and drastically improve the speed, precision, and complexity of calculations and information processing, profoundly transforming science, industry, and society. Search engines like Google or Wikipedia placed information at one’s fingertips, replacing traditional encyclopedias and dictionaries. In the industrial and digital age, speed and efficiency became top priorities. University library storing large amounts of data for research purposes have now been digitalized.
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Socrates, Plato, and their successors would be speechless at these advancements! We have come a long way from the book, with an extremely rapid speed of dissemination.
Teachers have had to rethink their methods, establish new rules, and learn to harness these digital resources. Today’s educator must find a balance between using books, calculators, and computers.
AI: A New Wave of Change
Today, AI, embodied by tools like ChatGPT, is transforming education once again. We are living in an era where conversations with computers and cars are no longer a figment of our imagination, but a concrete reality. From Alan Turing’s esoteric dream in 1950 to Elon Musk’s execution plan in 2022, we are here now; the future is today. More than ever, this is the age of speed and efficiency. How can we complete work as quickly and effectively as possible?
The dawn of AI took place in the mid-20th century, led by British logician and computer science pioneer Alan Turing. He deserves the title of the “Father of Artificial Intelligence.” In 1935, Turing imagined an abstract computing machine with unlimited memory and an automatic analyzer. He also invented the eponymous Turing Test. If software passes this test, it mimics human intervention to the point where it becomes difficult to distinguish between a chatbot and a human.
https://www.lemagit.fr/definition/Test-de-Turing
Lesser-known predecessors of ChatGPT, such as ELIZA in the 1960s, did not achieve the same level of success. Since the explosion of chatbots in 2022, AI adoption has seen exponential growth: by 2025, the global market for AI in education is expected to reach $6 billion. According to a 2024 KPMG survey, 59% of Canadian students use generative AI for their schoolwork (up from 52% in 2023), and 75% of these users claim these tools have improved the quality of their work.
Challenges: Adaptation, Rules, and Equity
As with every revolution, the integration of AI raises questions: How do we use it wisely? How do we avoid dependency, cheating or anthropomorphism? Teachers must establish new rules and rethink their pedagogy while ensuring they do not widen the gap of inequality. A wealth of resources exists to raise awareness among teachers and students about this rapidly evolving tool. The Ministry of Education has created a guide for the pedagogical, ethical, and legal use of generative AI. Furthermore, many school centers will provide a practical guide for using AI in the classroom.
Teachers Teach… But Are Students Learning in the Age of AI?
While teachers are gradually adapting, the question remains: are students keeping up with the pace? Does AI truly foster learning and memorization? Studies show that 79% of students perceive the impact of ChatGPT as positive, but it remains to be determined whether this technology promotes deep understanding or simple task automation. Indeed, according to KPMG statistics, 67% of students believe they learn or retain less knowledge when using AI.
This is an interesting discussion to have with your students. After interviewing several teenagers, some admit that to truly master a subject, one must first put in the necessary effort, without AI. This involves reading, taking notes, solving exercises, and other activities that any regular student performs. Information retention remains the same whether it is 2026 or Ancient Greece. “Productive struggle” remains a reality regardless of our circumstances. This struggle is necessary to move information from short-term to long-term memory. This explains why 67% of students feel they retain knowledge less effectively.
AI, therefore, serves as a new tool, much like the calculator, that can be used as a study assistant. However, to truly internalize a concept, students must inevitably rely on their natural intelligence.
Conclusion
With every major innovation, from the book to AI, education undergoes a period of instability before finding a new equilibrium. Teachers, though sometimes reluctant, eventually take ownership of new tools and integrate them into their pedagogy. AI is no exception: it demands rapid adaptation but also opens the door to increased personalization of learning and the emergence of new teaching methods. The key will be to support this change, establish clear rules, and guarantee equity so that everyone can benefit from this educational revolution. It is better to understand how to interact with this new tool to reap true benefits rather than deny its existence.
In short, the integration of AI by teachers is growing, supported by guides, training, and institutional policies. It is better to educate than to prohibit!
References:
Elie Allouche (2 mai 2023). Écriture, oralité et apprentissage : ChatGPT et le Phèdre de Platon. Numérique et éducation. Consulté le 15 mai 2025 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/o2yv
https://www.inventeurs.com/inventeur/blaise-pascal.html
https://www.allaboutai.com/resources/ai-statistics/education/
https://kpmg.com/ca/fr/home/media/press-releases/2023/08/six-in-ten-students-consider-generative-ai-cheating.html
Intelligence artificielle—Alan Turing et les débuts de l’IA | Britannique. (s. d.). Consulté 30 avril 2023, à l’adresse https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/Alan-Turing-and-the-beginning-of-AI