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The SunCoast Area Teacher Training leadership program at the USF College of Education welcomed Zafer Unal, an education professor at , to their January meeting for a riveting conversation about using artificial intelligence in the classroom.

Unal introduced students to , a platform he created that provides over 800 cost-free AI tools designed and tested by educators. These tools can enhance K-12 learning by assisting teachers with planning, assessment, preparation, research, and more.

Students learned to browse and search for specific AI tools based on their classroom needs. Unal then demonstrated best practices for prompting tools on TeacherServer to generate materials, showcasing the ability to converse with the AI to change specific response elements.

TeacherServer prioritizes the privacy and security of teachers and students, a point Unal emphasized in his discussion. The AI is hosted on a local server and instructed not to collect data or train itself based on user behavior, like prompting, ensuring a safe and protected learning environment.

The over one million users on the TeacherServer platform prove how helpful an AI tool can be for teachers. What began as a collection of 49 tools has rapidly grown as teachers request new functions and look for more ways to integrate AI in the classroom.

"Teachers with AI knowledge will stand out when looking for a job and doing things efficiently," said Unal. "Rather than starting from scratch doing something, you can start at 80 percent and spend the same amount of time perfecting your work."

The added efficiency of using AI as a teacher creates opportunities to go above and beyond to create an ideal learning environment.

"I think it [AI] is very helpful because taking time to do lesson plans and thinking about every little question you're doing takes hours out of your life," said Reese Kantrowitz, the president of the SunCoast Area Teacher Training program. "When it does 80 percent, you can focus on grading and making everything more personalized for students."

"As a teacher, especially as a new teacher, it is not just the curriculum, and it is not just the lesson planning... it is a lot," said Jessica Beagle, the assistant professor of professional learning at the David C. Anchin Center and SunCoast Area Teacher Training advisor. "This [AI] can help you spend more time building relationships with your students and the little finesse things of being a teacher to identify their needs and develop ways to accommodate them."

For future educators like Kantrowitz, learning ways to implement AI in the classroom is vital to excel in a rapidly changing education environment.

"Learning about technology is so important, especially in our day and age," said Kantrowitz, an Exceptional Student Education major. "Our students will know more about technology than we do, so the more we know, the better we can communicate with them."

While an excellent tool, TeacherServer and any other AI platform can and will get things wrong. Teachers must carefully review AI-generated materials to ensure the content meets the specific needs of their students and adheres to educational objectives.

"AI is not going to be perfect. I promise you," said Unal, emphasizing the importance of checking TeacherServer's work. "It still needs your 20 percent. You are still the boss."

Understanding AI's strengths and weaknesses prepares educators to use it responsibly in their classrooms, ensuring it enhances learning without replacing essential student-teacher connections.

With classrooms continuing to evolve and technology becoming a more integrated part of the learning experience, understanding AI's capabilities and limitations is no longer a luxury for future educators — it's a necessity.

Student organizations like the SunCoast Area Teacher Training program are the perfect place to explore complex topics like AI, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and confront the future of education head-on.