76% of teachers do not feel ready to use AI in the classroom
While Education Minister Yoav Kisch promotes AI in schools, research shows that 76% of teachers lack the necessary pedagogical knowledge, and actual classroom integration remains low.
Yoav Kisch likes to present Israel as a powerhouse in the field of artificial intelligence in education. However, behind the Minister of Education's statements about personalized learning and the AI revolution lies a less impressive reality: teachers use AI mainly for lesson preparation, the Ministry of Education is perceived as disconnected from needs on the ground, and many staff do not feel ready to lead students into this new world.
A comprehensive study by Prof. Gila Kurtz of the Holon Institute of Technology reveals that teachers rarely introduce AI directly into the classroom. Main usage is concentrated on planning: expanding content (3.4 out of 5), finding inspiration for teaching methods (3.3), and preparing lesson plans (3.2). Usage by students during lessons remains significantly lower.
Implementation Challenges
The Ministry of Education is perceived as disconnected from field needs regarding AI integration (2.4 out of 5). Only about half of teachers are familiar with the ministry's policy. 76% of teachers reported having limited or no pedagogical knowledge in AI, and 90% of principals point to a gap between the systemic recognition of AI's importance and its actual implementation.
During Thursday's Knesset Education Committee meeting, Minister Kisch announced plans for AI-guided personalized learning in middle schools. However, experts like former Education Minister Shai Piron criticize the initiative for being a "top-down" reform. Dr. Roni Ramot argues that without teacher training and autonomy for principals, such measures will fail to achieve their goals.
The Future of Education
Researchers agree that the teacher's role must change fundamentally. "The future teacher will not transfer knowledge but will become a facilitator, fostering values and emotional intelligence," says Dr. Amir Gefen. Prof. Yoram Harpaz notes that AI will enable personalized learning, turning schools into spaces for social interaction, debate, and independent thinking.
Despite this, there is concern that without proper infrastructure, the gap between strong and weak students will widen. Surveys indicate that many schools still lack sufficient computers for remote learning, threatening equal access to these new technologies.
