April 4, 2025 | blog

97% of Educators See AI's Potential in Education, But Only 35% Are Using It. Why?

By Anushree Raipat, Dr. Jiheng Jing, and AristAI Tutor Team

Educators overwhelmingly agree: AI could revolutionize teaching. Yet despite 97% acknowledging its potential, just 35% have adopted it in classrooms. Why the disconnect? The answer isn’t skepticism—it’s complexity. Teachers want to focus on their core mission, teaching, not wrestling with unwieldy technology. In this blog, we explore how AI can become an "invisible-friendly" partner for educators, and how AristAI Tutor is making that vision a reality.

The AI Confidence Gap: A Wake-Up Call for Ed-Tech

AI tools like ChatGPT have surged into mainstream life, amassing 400 million users. Education, however, lags behind. According to the EDUCAUSE Horizon Report 2024, education leaders are optimistic about AI’s role in schools.

In general, education leaders have an optimistic opinion of AI. The Consortium for School Networking’s State of EdTech District Leadership report notes that 97% see benefits in how AI can positively impact education. While there is great optimism, districts lag in actually implementing AI, with only 35% stating that they have a generative AI initiative in place.

This gap isn’t about doubt. It’s about design.

Many ed-tech companies assume educators will adapt to clunky AI tools with minimal training or intuitive interfaces. The result? Overwhelmed teachers and underused technology. As one university professor shared: “I already juggle lesson planning, grading, and parent meetings. I don’t have time to learn a tool that feels like a second job.”

At AristAI, we reject this approach. AI should help educators solve problems—not create extra work.

Should Teachers Master AI? AristAI Says “No—Focus on Teaching Instead.”

Many educators want to harness AI’s power but face an unfair ultimatum: Become a part-time tech expert or miss out on innovation.

The problem isn’t resistance—it’s design. Most AI tools demand weeks of training, coding basics, and constant troubleshooting. For teachers already stretched thin by grading, meetings, and paperwork, this feels like a second job.

That’s why AristAI Tutor flips the script.

We agree with Ethan Mollick, Wharton professor and AI education pioneer: “AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a creative partner.” But unlike platforms that treat educators like engineers, AristAI Tutor acts as your invisible collaborator.

Think of it as hiring a teaching assistant who never clocks out, never needs training, and works for free.

No Setup, Just Teach: AI That Integrates Like a Trusted Colleague

For educators, managing a course involves more than just delivering lectures—it’s about supporting students, addressing questions, and keeping course materials up to date. Traditionally, human teaching assistants help with these tasks, but AI is now stepping in to provide similar support.

Let’s break down how AristAI Tutor works and how it can take on these responsibilities seamlessly:

Always Updated: Your Self-Updating Syllabus Sidekick

Course materials evolve. Your AI shouldn’t demand overtime to keep up.

  • Syncs Overnight: When you upload new lectures or adjust assignments, AristAI Tutor auto-updates—no manual prompts, no “training sessions.”
  • No Maintenance: Unlike rigid AI tools that require constant babysitting, our system mirrors a human TA’s natural workflow: learn, adapt, repeat.

Meet Students Where They Learn: No New Apps, No Friction

Why force students onto another platform? AristAI Tutor embeds support everywhere they already work:

  • LMS Platforms: Answers questions directly in Canvas, Moodle, or D2L.
  • Discussion Hubs: Jumps into Campuswire, Discord, or Piazza threads.
  • Course Websites: Integrates seamlessly, like a TA lurking in the background.

Result? Students get instant help without logins or downloads—and instructors avoid yet another tech rollout.

Figure 1: Use AristAI Tutor directly on LMS platforms such as Canvas.

Set Rules Like Talking to a Colleague: No Code, No Jargon

Forget dropdown menus and Python scripts. Customize AristAI Tutor with plain English:

  • “Never give direct homework answers—only hints.”
  • “Always refer to Slide 12 for Python syntax help.”
  • “Encourage students to attempt problems first.”

The AI adapts instantly, just like a human TA would after a quick hallway chat.

Your Silent Classroom Partner: Insights Without the Noise

AristAI Tutor doesn’t just answer questions—it becomes your eyes and ears. With your permission, it quietly:

  • Flags Struggling Student Questions: Spots patterns in questions (e.g., “40% asked about quadratic equations this week”).
  • Trend Alerts: Highlights topics causing confusion, like TA jotting notes during office hours.
  • Podcast Summaries: Get a 5-minute audio digest of class performance during your commute. “Like having a TA debrief me over coffee,” says a community college biology instructor.

For more details, please feel free to contact us at support@aristai.io

Final Thoughts: AI as a Seamless Teaching Partner

AristAI Tutor isn’t just "user-friendly"—it’s invisible-friendly. By mirroring the role of a human TA, It handles the grunt work so seamlessly, you’ll forget it’s AI… until you see your students thriving.

Conclusion

The best technology is the kind you barely notice - it just works. That's our vision for AI in education.

We believe in a future where teachers can focus on what they do best: inspiring students, fostering critical thinking, and building relationships. Let the AI handle the rest.

About AristAI

AristAI is committed to meeting the evolving needs of colleges and universities. Our comprehensive suite of tools addresses pressing concerns around student support and accessibility:

  • AI Teaching Assistants Our AI solutions—like the 24/7 AI Tutor—provide instant support to students by answering questions, clarifying concepts, and offering resources. Instructors benefit by offloading routine inquiries, freeing them to focus on higher-level teaching responsibilities and personalized guidance.
  • AI Accessibility Detector & Remediator This tool automatically scans and remediates course materials—including videos, documents, and LMS-hosted content—to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. By making learning materials more inclusive, we help institutions avoid legal pitfalls and, more importantly, foster equal opportunities for all students.

Colleges and universities are under ever-increasing pressure to demonstrate the value and outcomes of the education they provide. Balancing tight budgets with high expectations for quality, accessibility, and innovation can be challenging. AristAI addresses these needs head-on by:

  • Enhancing Student Engagement: With instant, personalized feedback and support, AI Teaching Assistants keep learners motivated and on track—improving retention and success rates.
  • Ensuring Compliance and Inclusivity: Our AI Accessibility Detector & Remediator ensures your institution’s materials meet ADA and other regulatory standards, protecting you from costly compliance issues and fostering a culture of inclusion.
  • Streamlining Faculty Workloads: By taking on repetitive tasks, AI tools free up valuable time for educators, allowing them to focus on what they do best: teaching, mentoring, and innovating.

This marks the end of the 2nd blog in our series on AristAI Tutor, and we’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Ready to experience the future of higher education?

Contact us at support@aristai.io to set up your customised AristAI Tutor and discover how it can revolutionise your educational experience.

If the world of AI excites you as much as it does us, join us on this journey—we’re just getting started, and your input is invaluable!

Author: Anushree Raipat

I'm a Product Analyst at AristAI, merging analytical expertise with a passion for education to build transformative solutions that bridge traditional teaching and modern technology.