When a student learns something new an extraordinary chain of events occurs within the brain. Sensory input is processed in the cerebral cortex, activating regions responsible for perception, attention, and working memory. The hippocampus gets to work encoding the new information, linking it to prior knowledge stored across the brain. Neural pathways strengthen through a process called synaptic plasticity. At the same time, emotional centres like the amygdala and motivation pathways involving dopamine play a critical role, influencing how deeply the learning is embedded.
As educators, we know that learning is not a linear process; it's dynamic, involving complex networks of neurons firing in synchrony, adjusting and adapting in real-time.
So, where does the rapidly evolving technology of generative AI fit into learning?
From adaptive learning platforms to predictive data systems, AI has immense potential to support teachers, personalise student learning, and enhance educational outcomes. It can generate practice questions, analyse performance trends, and provide instant feedback.
Neurons fire. Synapses strengthen. Entire networks reorganise to store and recall this new understanding. Emotion, memory, attention, and motivation work in tandem.
But what it cannot do is think like a human. It cannot be curious, feel frustrated, or experience the thrill of a breakthrough. It does not wonder why a rainbow forms, nor does it wrestle with understanding how to express heartbreak in a poem. These are uniquely human experiences, deeply embedded in the biology and emotion of our brains.
At IGS, we are embracing the potential of AI in ways that support, not replace, the art and science of teaching and more importantly, the journey of learning for our students.
We see AI as an assistant, but never the teacher itself. Our classrooms remain spaces where connections, empathy, critical thinking, and creativity are nurtured. These are things that a piece of technology can never replace.
Just as a calculator didn’t diminish the need to understand mathematics, generative AI will never take away the need to think, feel, or imagine. In fact, it makes those qualities even more essential.
As we continue to explore and integrate AI, let us remember that our greatest asset is not in the machine, but in the marvelously complex, adaptable, and emotional brains of our students and the teachers who guide them.
Catherine Cuddihy, Dean of Academics