Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for science fiction or Silicon Valley. It’s become an important part of everyday life — and classrooms are no exception. From personalized learning tools to real-time captioning and streamlined grading systems, the technology is reshaping how students learn and how teachers teach. As schools and universities look for ways to boost inclusivity and efficiency, AI-powered solutions are proving to be powerful allies in driving academic success.
Boosting access for all students
One of the most profound ways AI is transforming education is by making learning more accessible for students with disabilities or diverse learning needs. Traditional accommodations — such as human note-takers or sign language interpreters — while valuable, can be limited in availability and scalability. AI tools can now fill those gaps.
Real-time captioning and transcription tools powered by AI, for instance, are enabling students who are deaf or hard of hearing to participate in lectures with greater independence. Platforms like Verbit’s Captivate™ provide accurate, real-time captions that are integrated into video conferencing tools and learning management systems. These captions, however, don’t just benefit those with hearing loss — they also support multilingual learners, students in noisy environments and those who prefer reading along to boost comprehension.
Audio description and AI-driven summaries help students who are blind or with low vision understand visual content, while speech-to-text tools support students with dyslexia or other learning differences. By delivering content in multiple formats, AI allows educators to meet students where they are, breaking down barriers to learning.
Enhancing student outcomes through personalization
Every student learns differently, and AI helps educators better cater to individual needs. Adaptive learning platforms use AI to track student progress in real time, analyze patterns and adjust the difficulty of questions or the pace of material accordingly. This personalization helps ensure that no student is left behind or held back by a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
AI-driven tutoring systems are also on the rise, offering instant feedback, hints and alternative explanations when students struggle. These platforms can provide extra support outside of class time, reinforcing lessons and helping students master subjects at their own pace.
AI also can play a role in making educational content more engaging. Tools that create quizzes, flashcards and interactive games based on course materials help boost retention while making studying more dynamic and fun.
Streamlining administrative and teaching tasks
AI isn’t just benefiting students, it is also lightening the workload for teachers. By automating time-consuming tasks like grading, attendance tracking and even answering frequently asked questions, AI frees educators to focus more on instruction and student interaction.
For example, AI-powered grading tools can evaluate multiple-choice and short-answer questions with speed and consistency, while newer models are able to assist with essay evaluation. Chatbots can handle routine administrative questions from students, such as “When is the next assignment due?” or “What time is office hours?”, reducing email clutter for instructors.
This summer, the UK’s Department for Education recently gave the OK for teachers to use AI to automate routine tasks (grading papers, writing letters to parents) and help teachers focus on more face-to-face time with students. Though teachers and students in the UK have used AI in the classrooms in the past, this is the first time the education department has provided training materials and guidance for schools outlining how they should and should not use it.
Verbit’s captioning and transcription services also can help teachers repurpose lecture content, turning spoken lessons into accessible, searchable text that can be reviewed by students or repackaged for online courses — an increasingly important task in hybrid and asynchronous learning environments.
Preparing students for a tech-driven future
Integrating AI into classrooms is not just about improving current educational outcomes, it’s also about prepping students for the future. Familiarity with AI tools, ethical considerations around data use and an understanding of how to collaborate with machine intelligence are becoming essential skills in today’s job market.
A report by Common Sense Media on AI’s adoption at home and school shows that a majority of teens use the technology, especially chatbots and AI-supported searches, while most adults in teens’ lives, including parents and teachers, are out of the loop.
The report found that 7 out of 10 teens have used at least one type of generative AI tool. More than half of those surveyed (53%) noted using generative AI most often for homework help, with 46% of them doing so without the teacher’s permission. (Nearly 60% of teens also noted that their school either has no rules for how AI can be used or that they’re not sure if there are rules.)
The survey also found that 49% of parents said they have not talked about AI with their kids and more than 80% said that schools have not communicated with families about the use of the technology.
By embedding AI into learning environments and setting out rules for its usage, educators help students become more comfortable with the technology they’re likely to encounter in their careers. This includes using generative AI tools for writing and research, understanding how algorithms work and critically evaluating generated content.
Looking ahead
While the benefits of AI in education are clear, it’s important to implement these tools thoughtfully. Concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias and equitable access to technology must be addressed. Schools and institutions must ensure that AI enhances — not replaces — human relationships in the classroom.
When used responsibly, AI can be a catalyst for more inclusive, personalized and efficient education. It holds the promise of making learning not only more accessible but also more impactful for every student, while giving teachers the tools they need to thrive in an evolving educational landscape.
As AI continues to shape the future of education, Verbit is proud to be at the forefront, helping institutions create more accessible and inclusive learning environments. With solutions like real-time captioning, transcription, audio description and smart video tools, Verbit enables schools, colleges and universities to support diverse learners, improve outcomes and meet evolving accessibility requirements with confidence. Whether you’re enhancing classroom engagement or preparing for ADA Title II compliance, Verbit’s AI-powered tools and human expertise can help you deliver educational experiences that work for everyone.
Turning Compliance into Action
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