Elon Musk is already well known to all of us. Now the right-hand man of President Trump, owner of X, and CEO of Tesla for two decades, most of us recognize him for his controversial speeches.
Now, focusing not so much on politics but on innovation (another of his great passions), he has spoken about the paths and trends that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking and the fear many professionals have that it will replace their jobs.
And the truth is, artificial intelligence is here to stay. What just a few years ago seemed distant and impossible is now practically a reality advancing much faster than we imagined. Musk wanted to send a warning to the world.
Who is afraid of AI?
Many of us may have thought that AI would replace artists, writers, or programmers. However, according to Musk, it will be the education sector that suffers the most from artificial intelligence.
Musk warns of the risk of “human annihilation,” as he believes they could be replaced by advanced algorithms capable of surpassing teaching abilities. Will AI have as much patience as our math teachers had with us?
Musk’s words were the following: “Parents will still be responsible for passing on moral principles and values to their children, but AI will transform education since it can easily act as a teacher,” he wrote on his X account.
Teachers in the crosshairs
Musk is not speaking fiction. He refers to recent studies showing that thanks to some emotional intelligences, student performance has improved without human intervention, something that, of course, suggests a 180-degree turn in the educational model.
And if you think about it, they will probably be able to teach complex concepts and adapt to each student’s pace, and above all, assess results with high precision. But are complex concepts the only thing learned in schools and high schools? Or do our educators play a big role in the kind of people we become as adults?
Countdown for our teachers
Artificial intelligence is developing at an unstoppable pace. Musk originally proposed that the critical moment for education would be 2029, but with recent changes and the latest advances, he believes it will be before the end of 2025 when many places begin to do without their teaching staff.
Who is behind these predictions?
Elon Musk’s vision is supported by figures like Garry Tan, a well-known economist and CEO of Y Combinator. This investor has backed numerous tech startups that are already exploring the educational potential of artificial intelligence.
The synergy between thought leaders like Musk and Tan shows that the future of learning is already being designed… and not necessarily with humans in charge.
A future without teachers?
We already know that AI can wipe out entire professions in very little time, and the educational revolution is underway. Maybe it’s only a matter of time before machines replace the infinite patience of our teachers, but… teachers, from our point of view, will remain irreplaceable.
A machine cannot motivate students to discover something, nor can it express the passion with which a teacher explains their subject. No algorithm can detect emotional deficiencies in students, nor can it show empathy. So no matter how much technology enters classrooms, the humanity of a teacher can never be replaced.
