Giving Compass' Take:

• The Hechinger Report examines the rise of artificial intelligence in all sectors, but argues that teaching will remain in the hands of humans, since instructors that engage with students can't easily be replaced.

• Does this mean automation within schools has limitations? How can we make sure the personal touches of teaching continue to show value?

• Even if AI doesn't replace teachers, the technology could still help them do a better job.

China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency introduced its newest anchor to attendees at the World Internet Conference in the country’s eastern Zhejiang Province last week. The news anchor seemed very knowledgeable and responsive, but don’t expect a warm handshake. That’s because “English AI Anchor,” as “he” is named, isn’t human. Modeled after the very mortal Xinhua news presenter Zhang Zhao (and one other), English AI is the first broadcaster of its kind, built on artificial intelligence.

“‘He’ learns from live broadcasting videos by himself and can read texts as naturally as a professional news anchor,” according to Xinhua News. English AI looks like all the other talking heads sitting at a news desk, but the English-speaking anchor isn’t a person. Like robots on an automotive assembly line, English AI can work 24 hours a day, doesn’t require benefits and can’t threaten its employer with a strike (yet). The future is upon us. We are now living in a world in which robots do many of the jobs we once thought the preserve of humans.

But if there’s one job that can’t be taken over by artificial intelligence, it’s teaching. Sure, you can memorize frog parts online, but that will never compare to dissecting one in a laboratory with fellow students and a quality teacher at your shoulder.

Read the full article about AI and the future of education by Andre Perry at The Hechinger Report.