Students Prefer AI Over Teachers: Here's Why

Why Are Students Choosing ChatGPT Over Teachers? – Insights from the Dubai Future Forum

A fresh study presented at the Dubai Future Forum 2025 sheds light on a pressing and intriguing question: Why are young people increasingly turning to artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, for learning rather than their teachers? The answers are multifaceted, but the crucial factors include trust, fear of judgment, and the convenient, nonstop access offered by AI.

Artificial Intelligence as a Natural Part of Learning

According to the presented research, a significant number of students prefer asking AI over a teacher. This preference stems from experiences where communication with teachers often leads to fear of judgement or misunderstanding. For instance, teachers might respond to questions with retorts like, "Ask a better question!", which can easily discourage students and hinder active participation in the long run.

In contrast, AI, such as ChatGPT, does not pass judgement, never gets tired of questions, does not ridicule, and doesn’t take breaks. It responds immediately, helps rephrase questions, and can explain the same concept in different ways multiple times if necessary. This empowers students to learn in a way that suits them—tailored, patient, and fast.

The Future of Learning: Collaborating with AI, Not Competing

Young researchers at the forum noted that there is still much misunderstanding about AI usage in education. Several students indicated that using artificial intelligence to solve homework could even result in point deductions. This stands in stark contrast to how learners view technology: for them, AI is not a form of cheating but a tool that helps in learning, developing, and thinking.

Young people wish that the education system would not reject but incorporate such tools into everyday life. They believe teachers and AI should not work against each other but together—to create a learning environment centered on curiosity, understanding, and independent thinking.

Digital Services: The Key to Social Trust

The forum covered not just the future of education but also the general challenges of digital society. A highlighted presentation discussed how government AI developments, digital platforms, or forward-looking regulations can only truly succeed if citizens understand, trust, and willingly use them.

Artificial intelligence is becoming more prominent in classrooms and throughout society. Acceptance and effective use of this technology is not a technological issue but a matter of trust. If people feel that these tools truly serve them, they will naturally integrate into everyday life.

Human Curiosity and Lessons from the Past

According to thoughts shared at the conference, curiosity remains one of humanity’s greatest driving forces. Technological advancement, educational renewal, and social innovation all arise from the desire to know more and to understand ourselves and our world better.

However, several speakers raised that we often do not truly learn from past mistakes. Experiences from the pandemic—such as basic hygiene practices or the need for social cohesion—can easily slip into oblivion if their significance is not repeatedly recalled. Preparing for the future is not only a technological question but also a social and cultural duty.

Invisible Technology and Natural Solutions

Another intriguing topic at the forum was the future of healthcare technology, which is becoming increasingly invisible. Wearable devices—smartwatches, health-monitoring sensors—may in the future take forms that almost seamlessly blend into our bodies or environment. This, however, raises new ethical questions, particularly concerning privacy protection.

Concurrently, the future of a healthy lifestyle is increasingly returning to nature. Stress from urban living, noise and light pollution, and lack of movement lead more people to seek nature-driven solutions. Humanity needs to relearn how to operate in harmony with the environment, not only through technology but also through a shift in perspective.

Water Crisis, Innovation, and Intellectual Property

Water as one of the most valuable resources for the future was also a topic at the forum. Speakers indicated that water scarcity is one of the world's most severe and urgent issues, a particularly pressing concern in the Middle East region. New generation entrepreneurs and researchers have a significant role in finding innovative solutions in water management, conservation, and purification.

Furthermore, the protection and modernization of intellectual property are crucial to ensure that innovation not only emerges but is sustainably integrated into the economy and society. The intertwining of AI and the creative industry presents new challenges to existing legal frameworks.

Dubai Tuning into the Future

The Dubai Future Forum attracted more than 2,500 participants and 200 speakers from around the world. The event once again reinforced Dubai's position as a central forum for future technological and societal questions. It was not only about the city’s future but also about global thinking regarding tomorrow’s challenges—whether in education, health, technology, or global issues.

The lesson is clear: the future cannot be ignored—but can be prepared for. And one of the most important tools in this preparation is dialogue, where artificial intelligence has a place—not as an enemy, but as a partner.

(The article is based on research presented by the Dubai Future Forum 2025.)