Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of the learning process in recent years, and today it is used by both students and teachers. According to a recent study initiated by the philanthropic organization Devbridge Foundation, AI is gradually reshaping the traditional role of teachers. By taking over some routine tasks, it allows educators to devote more time to what technology cannot replace: meaningful relationships with students, a positive classroom environment, student motivation, and engagement.
According to Dr. Laura Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) who led the study, Lithuania's education system is still in the early stages of AI adoption. While the first signs of systemic change are emerging, implementation remains inconsistent.
“The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania has developed guidelines for schools, but in many cases the initiative is left to individual educational institutions. As a result, due to insufficient preparation, these technologies are often used only superficially, and the responsibility falls largely on teachers themselves,” says Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė.
More than 500 Teachers Participated in the Study
Now in its first year, the Devbridge Foundation initiative Learn on.ai aims to increase access to knowledge by helping Lithuanian schools adopt advanced artificial intelligence tools. The study, conducted within the framework of this initiative, involved teachers from grades 1–12 who use AI tools developed by three Lithuanian startups and tailored to the country's education system. Responses from more than 500 teachers representing schools across Lithuania were analyzed.
The study found that the greatest benefit of AI tools in Lithuanian schools is their ability to save teachers time. Ease of use, speed, and overall user-friendliness were also rated highly. In terms of educational activities, AI was used most often for lesson planning, content adaptation, and individualized support, while its least common applications were communication with students and parents, as well as administrative documentation.
Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė notes that today's education system is becoming increasingly diverse, and classrooms are evolving accordingly, bringing together students with different abilities, learning paces, and needs. Artificial intelligence can help teachers adapt learning materials more effectively by generating texts of varying complexity, creating different types of assignments, providing explanations, visualizations, and even audio content.
“However, personalizing the learning process involves much more than simply adapting tasks. This is where the evolving role of the teacher becomes even more apparent. Teachers can devote more attention to students’ emotional well-being, empathy, social skills development, and meaningful human connections. By automating routine processes, artificial intelligence gives teachers more opportunities to notice and support every student,” says Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė.
The Importance of Using Artificial Intelligence Responsibly
According to Dr. Laura Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė, the risks associated with AI are real and valid, but their impact depends largely on how these tools are used.
“If AI is used merely as a source of quick answers, the value of learning decreases. Students spend less time analyzing and critically evaluating information, while their creativity and problem-solving skills may weaken. However, the technology itself is not the threat. What matters is encouraging students not to accept answers at face value, but to understand what they do not yet know, learn how to formulate effective questions, and verify the information they receive. When used properly, AI strengthens rather than weakens students' cognitive abilities,” says the researcher.
The study supports this perspective. According to participating teachers, AI tools have a positive impact on both student engagement and learning outcomes.
“Today's generation does not view technology as something new—it is a natural part of their environment. Students are highly responsive to interactivity and immediate feedback,” notes Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė.
According to the researcher, AI also plays a significant role in developing metacognition—the ability to understand and reflect on one's own learning process. Students become more aware of what they do not understand, how to ask precise questions, what kind of explanation they need, and how to verify information independently.
The social and emotional effects are more nuanced. On the one hand, some students become more confident, participate more actively in class, communicate more easily, and are less afraid of making mistakes. This is particularly noticeable among more introverted students or those with lower self-confidence.
On the other hand, new challenges are emerging. If AI is used without careful consideration, students may find it harder to maintain focus during extended independent work and may become less comfortable navigating complex tasks without receiving immediate answers. It is also essential that technology does not replace genuine human collaboration.
According to Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė, the growing use of AI is prompting broader discussions about systemic changes in education.
“Artificial intelligence can become a powerful assistant for teachers, but the key question is how it is integrated into the learning process and whether students are encouraged to think independently. Educators are still learning how to work with AI, which means that changes to assessment practices are likely inevitable. Greater emphasis should be placed on argumentation, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge, rather than simply reproducing information.
It is becoming increasingly clear that introducing technology alone is not enough. Broader changes in education will be necessary in the future. One particularly important issue is the digital divide. The study indirectly suggests that the benefits of AI depend heavily on school infrastructure, teacher preparedness, and leadership attitudes. The role of government will therefore be to ensure that digital transformation does not reduce access to education or widen existing disparities between schools and regions.
Today, the question is no longer whether AI should be used. The real challenge is ensuring that its use is safe, consistent, and systematic. Teachers already see the value of AI tools; it is important that education policymakers recognize that value as well,” says Dr. Daniusevičiūtė-Brazaitė.