AI for Learning: Views on Impacts to Teachership in the era of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an umbrella term for systems that can act in cognitive processes in a human-like and human-enhancing manner, e.g., in learning, problem solving, and pattern recognition. According to models of technology adoption, several factors influence the actual implementation of a new system within an organization and in an individual's professional practice. These factors include e.g. job relevance, demonstrable results, individual experience with technology, and voluntariness to adopt the new system. This research studies employees' views and expectations of AI applicability and its impact to teachership within a Finnish higher education institution (HEI). Survey data was collected from different schools and units from all hierarchical layers of the HEI, a University of Applied Sciences. Views on AI were assessed in relation to the core tenets of a teacher ' s professional guidelines as expressed in the Comenius' Oath. This research contributes to the AI research by shedding light on how people within the HEI evaluate the impacts of AI into their future operating environment, pointing out also the potential obstacles for AI adoption in this specific context.