AI in Education: A Catalyst for Empathy and Improved Interactions
Over the past couple of years, the discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in education has oscillated between two poles: enthusiasm for improved efficiency and apprehension about potential replacement. Teachers worry about losing their authenticity; leaders are concerned over academic integrity. Amidst these concerns, schools across the nation are grappling to comprehend a technology that simultaneously appears promising and daunting. However, an overlooked, people-centric opportunity is gradually coming to the fore: AI can actually heighten empathy and enhance the quality of our interactions with students and staff.
AI: A Perspective Taking Tool
It’s important to note that AI does not aim to automate relationships, but rather aids us in becoming more considerate, intentional, and empathetic to those we serve. In my experience as a middle school vice principal and high school teacher, I’ve found that AI’s most significant value lies not as a productivity tool, but as a perspective-taking tool. Used prudently, it bolsters the emotional aspect of teaching and leadership, an integral part of our work that cannot be automated.
Shifting the Focus from Efficiency to Empathy
Schools flourish not because we draft emails or design lesson plans faster, but because students feel understood, teachers feel supported, and families feel included. While AI can assist with operational tasks, its true potential lies in its capacity to help us:
- Reflect on the tone before sending a challenging email
- Comprehend how a message may be perceived by someone under stress
- Simulate sensitive conversations with students or employees
- Anticipate difficulties that multilingual families may face
- Practice a composed response instead of reacting impulsively
These are human actions necessitating situational awareness and empathy. AI cannot execute them for us, but it can assist us in practicing and preparing for them.
Case Study: Middle School and Preparing for Difficult Conversations
Middle school is an emotional ecosystem. Students are developing their identities, grappling with social pressures, and learning self-advocacy. Staff members juggle teaching responsibilities while building trust with young adolescents whose needs fluctuate weekly. One way I have utilized AI is to simulate challenging conversations before they occur. By providing the AI with a brief description and instructing it to take on another person’s viewpoint, I can rehearse responses centered around calm, clarity, and empathy. This practice has made me more purposeful in real interactions: I’m less reactive, better prepared, and have a clearer understanding of the underlying emotions.
Supporting Newcomers and Multilingual Learners
In schools like mine that welcome dozens of newcomers annually, many of whom have experienced interrupted formal education, AI tools can empower staff in ways that deepen, rather than diminish, connections. For example, AI can assist in crafting a bilingual communication with a gentler, more culturally responsive tone, or help teachers anticipate trauma triggers based on student narratives. It can aid in rewriting classroom expectations in family-friendly language or in creating gentle scripts for welcoming a student experiencing culture shock. While technology cannot replace bilingual staff or cultural competency, it can serve as a bridge, helping educators reach families and students with more warmth, clarity, and precision.
AI as a Reflective Tool for Leadership
An unexpected benefit of AI is that it acts as a mirror. When I ask it to check the clarity of a communication or identify potential ambiguities, it often highlights blind spots. AI does not absolve responsibility; rather, it reinforces accountability. It helps us lead with more emotional intelligence, not less.
AI’s Impact on Teaching Practice
For teachers, AI can support empathy in similarly profound ways. It can assist in building a more inclusive classroom by scanning a lesson for hidden barriers, rewriting instructions for struggling learners, anticipating misunderstandings before they occur or practicing restorative speech.
Human Connection: The Core of Education
The heart of education lies in human connection. AI doesn’t alter this; rather, it underscores it. When we reduce the cognitive load of planning, we make room for alignment. When we practice difficult conversations, we become more resilient. When we write in more inclusive language, more families feel seen. When we consider our tone, we build trust. The objective is not to create AI-powered classrooms. It’s about fostering relational classrooms where AI subtly supports the skills that matter most: empathy, clarity, and connection. Schools don’t need more automation. They need more humanity, and AI, used wisely, can help us achieve just that.
About the Author
Timothy Montalvo is a middle school educator and leader who is passionate about using technology to improve student learning. He is an assistant principal at Fox Lane Middle School in Westchester, NY, and teaches educational courses as an adjunct professor at Iona University and the College of Westchester. Montalvo focuses on preparing students to be informed, active citizens in a digital world and shares insights on Twitter/X @MrMontalvoEDU or on BlueSky @montalvoedu.bsky.social.
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