I’m thrilled to sit down with Camille Faivre, a renowned expert in education management who has dedicated her career to shaping the future of learning. With a focus on open and e-learning programs, Camille has been at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies into educational systems, especially in the post-pandemic era. Today, we’ll explore her insights on how artificial intelligence is redefining pedagogy, not just as a tool for efficiency but as a transformative ally for educators. Our conversation will delve into the creative potential of AI, its role in personalizing learning, and why teachers remain the heart of educational change.
How did your journey in education lead you to see AI as more than just a time-saving tool?
I’ve spent years working with educators and institutions, and early on, I noticed how technology was often pitched as a quick fix—something to make tasks faster. But as a former teacher and principal, I’ve seen firsthand that great teaching isn’t about speed; it’s about impact. There was a moment when I was coaching a teacher struggling to meet the diverse needs of her students. She had brilliant ideas but was bogged down by the sheer workload. That’s when I realized AI could do more than save time—it could unlock her vision by removing logistical barriers. Focusing solely on efficiency misses the deeper potential of AI to empower educators to innovate and connect with students in meaningful ways.
In what ways do you envision AI acting as a pedagogical partner for teachers?
AI can be a game-changer when it’s designed with education in mind. It’s not about replacing a teacher’s judgment but supporting it by making best practices more accessible. For instance, strategies like personalized feedback or inquiry-based learning are incredibly effective but time-intensive. AI can streamline the creation of tailored materials or assessments, so teachers can focus on the human side of teaching—building relationships and inspiring curiosity. It’s about reducing the grunt work so educators can prioritize what truly matters.
Can you share a specific example of how AI has helped a teacher bring a best practice to life in their classroom?
Absolutely. I recently worked with a teacher who dreamed of using differentiated choice boards to meet her students’ varied needs. Before AI, creating these boards was a daunting task—hours of planning for just one lesson. With an AI tool that understood learning standards and could generate customized content, she built personalized learning paths for her entire class in a fraction of the time. This allowed her to spend more time working directly with struggling students, and the impact was incredible. Her students, especially those who needed extra support, felt seen and engaged in a way they hadn’t before.
How does viewing AI as a creative partner, rather than just a productivity tool, change the way teachers approach their craft?
When teachers see AI as a creative partner, it shifts their mindset from ‘getting through the day’ to ‘what can I dream up next?’ It’s no longer about checking boxes but exploring possibilities. I’ve seen teachers start asking questions like, ‘What if I could try a project-based unit without spending weeks on prep?’ This perspective encourages experimentation. One teacher I know began using AI to design interactive scenarios for her history class, turning lessons into immersive experiences. She wouldn’t have attempted this without AI’s support, and it opened up a whole new way of engaging her students.
What role does AI play in helping teachers experiment with innovative methods like flipped classrooms or interactive learning activities?
AI can handle the heavy lifting of designing these innovative approaches. For flipped classrooms, it can generate video scripts, aligned quizzes, or discussion prompts in minutes, saving teachers from hours of content creation. For interactive activities like escape room reviews, AI can brainstorm scenarios and puzzles tailored to the curriculum. This lets teachers focus on facilitating and adapting these methods to their students’ reactions, rather than getting stuck in the planning phase. It’s about giving them the freedom to test new ideas without the burden of starting from scratch.
How do teachers maintain their personal touch when using AI for content creation?
That’s a crucial balance. AI can create a foundation—say, a lesson plan or a set of materials—but it’s the teacher who brings it to life. They add context, weave in stories from their own experience, and adjust based on the energy in the room. I encourage teachers to use AI as a starting point, then layer in their personality and insights. For example, a teacher might use AI to draft a discussion guide for a novel, but it’s their passion for the story and ability to connect with students that makes the conversation memorable. AI is a tool, not the teacher.
Why do you believe educators are still the true drivers of change in education, even with AI’s growing presence?
Educators are irreplaceable because they bring empathy, intuition, and adaptability to the table—qualities AI can’t replicate. They can read a student’s mood, pivot a lesson on the fly, and build trust that fosters learning. I’ve seen teachers turn a single moment of connection into a lifelong impact for a student, and no algorithm can do that. AI’s role is to clear the way for these human interactions by handling repetitive tasks, allowing teachers to focus on inspiring and guiding. They are, and always will be, the heart of education.
When schools are considering AI tools, what should they focus on beyond just the promise of saving time?
Schools need to prioritize tools that respect the complexity of teaching. Look for AI that supports adaptive, student-centered instruction—something that helps teachers personalize learning or experiment with new strategies. It’s also important to ask whether the tool enhances a teacher’s ability to connect with students, rather than just automating tasks. The goal should be impact, not just efficiency. Does this tool help teachers do transformative things they couldn’t before? That’s the benchmark.
What is your forecast for the role of AI in education over the next decade?
I believe AI will become an even more integral part of education, but only if we keep educators at the center of the conversation. I see it evolving to offer hyper-personalized learning experiences, not just for students but for teachers’ professional development as well. We might see AI tools that adapt in real-time to a classroom’s dynamics, offering suggestions tailored to the moment. But my hope is that we’ll avoid the trap of over-automation and instead use AI to empower teachers to innovate, connect, and inspire on a deeper level. The future isn’t about replacing the human element—it’s about amplifying it.
