As an educator, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of educational disparities on students. Many of our learners face challenges outside of the classroom—economic hardships, lack of access to resources, and sometimes even systemic inequalities—that can make it difficult for them to thrive academically. Over the years, I’ve worked with students from all walks of life, many of whom struggle to keep up with their peers. These challenges are compounded by the traditional classroom setup, where the teacher’s time and attention are spread across an entire class of students with diverse needs. But with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a new tool at our disposal—one that could have a profound impact on closing the learning gap and promoting educational equity. Let’s explore how AI might play a role in supporting struggling students.
Understanding the Learning Gap
Before diving into the role of AI, it’s essential to understand what we mean by the learning gap. The learning gap refers to the differences in academic performance between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, or geographic regions. These gaps often manifest in lower test scores, lower graduation rates, and less access to advanced learning opportunities.
Students who are already at a disadvantage often fall further behind due to factors such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate access to learning materials, and fewer opportunities for one-on-one attention. Unfortunately, these gaps don’t always close as students advance in their education. In fact, the longer the gap persists, the harder it becomes to close. So, how can AI help?
How AI Can Support Struggling Students
At its core, AI has the potential to personalize education in ways that were previously out of reach. While the traditional approach of expecting all students to learn at the same pace and in the same way still exists in some settings, most educators today recognize the importance of differentiation. The idea that one method works for every student is no longer widely accepted. Instead, there is a growing emphasis on meeting students where they are.
The challenge is that true differentiation is incredibly difficult to implement, especially at scale. Every student learns differently. Some need more time to grasp a concept, while others benefit from different types of resources or explanations. This is where AI can be a powerful tool, helping teachers adapt instruction to individual needs and making personalized learning more accessible and manageable.
Personalized Learning Paths
AI can address this challenge by providing personalized learning paths for each student. By analyzing a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns, AI-powered tools can tailor lessons and assignments to meet their unique needs. For example, if a student struggles with reading comprehension, the AI can offer additional resources, such as interactive exercises, more accessible texts, or even personalized tutoring sessions. A student in a rural district might be paired with a virtual AI tutor that adapts daily assignments to their evolving needs, something that would be difficult to achieve in a traditional setting with limited staff.
Real-Time Feedback and Support
One of the most valuable aspects of AI in education is its ability to provide real-time feedback. In a typical classroom, teachers can’t always offer immediate responses to every student’s needs. However, with AI, students can receive instant feedback on their assignments, quizzes, or practice exercises. This allows students to identify areas where they’re struggling and correct mistakes before they fall too far behind. For example, in a math class, an AI system might be able to detect when a student consistently struggles with a particular type of problem and offer targeted practice or explanations to help them understand the concept better. In language learning apps like Duolingo, AI tracks user input and adapts the difficulty level accordingly—this same concept is being applied to classroom platforms that teach reading, science, and history.
Accessibility for All
AI can also help make education more accessible for students with disabilities. Through speech-to-text software, text-to-speech readers, and language translation tools, AI can provide greater access to learning materials for students who might otherwise struggle to participate in the classroom. For example, a student with dyslexia might benefit from AI tools that convert written text into spoken words, helping them follow along and better comprehend the material. Similarly, students who speak a language other than English at home can use AI-powered translation tools to break down language barriers and better understand course content. AI platforms like Microsoft’s Immersive Reader and Google’s Read Along are helping students with visual impairments, auditory processing challenges, or language barriers to learn in a more inclusive way.
Remote Learning and Flexibility
While remote learning has its drawbacks, it can also serve as an equalizer for students who struggle to access traditional classrooms. AI-powered learning platforms allow students to work at their own pace, in their own space, and at times that are most convenient for them. This is particularly beneficial for students who may have non-traditional schedules, such as those with jobs or family responsibilities. Additionally, AI can help track progress and ensure that students remain engaged, even when they aren’t physically present in a classroom. For struggling students, this flexibility could provide the time and space they need to catch up. One high school I collaborated with piloted an AI-supported platform during summer school, and students who had previously failed core classes were able to recover credits by working during evening hours with adaptive content tailored to their learning level.
AI-Powered Emotional Support
Some AI tools are being developed to help identify students who may be emotionally disengaged or at risk of dropping out. By analyzing patterns in engagement—such as frequency of log-ins, time spent on tasks, or sudden dips in performance—AI can alert educators to students who may need social-emotional support or mental health resources. In one district, AI helped flag a student who hadn’t logged in for days and had failed multiple assessments. After a counselor reached out, they discovered the student was facing homelessness. Early intervention made all the difference in getting the student back on track.
The Role of Teachers in an AI-Enhanced Classroom
Despite the tremendous potential of AI, it is important to remember that technology is a tool, not a replacement for teachers. Educators play an essential role in guiding students, fostering critical thinking, and creating a supportive learning environment. Teachers can often do what AI cannot; craft well structured lessons, explain complex topics with clarity, and adapt in real time to students’ needs, often using tools like a blackboard or shared discussions to make learning more coherent and engaging.
While some may see learning directly from AI as beneficial, it can often lack the clear structure and human context that many students need to fully grasp a concept. That said, AI can be an incredibly valuable support tool. It can offer individualized practice and immediate feedback, something that is difficult for a single teacher to provide at scale. AI can also give teachers deeper insights into student progress and highlight areas where a learner may need extra support.
The real power lies in the collaboration between the analytical strength of AI and the empathetic, adaptive presence of a teacher. Together, they can create a more personalized, effective, and human centered learning experience.
Teachers will still be essential in providing emotional support, offering motivation, and encouraging creativity and problem-solving. However, by leveraging AI, teachers can spend more time on these critical aspects of teaching while AI handles the repetitive tasks like grading and tracking progress.
Addressing Potential Concerns
Of course, no technology comes without its concerns. There are fears about data privacy, over-reliance on technology, and the potential for AI to reinforce biases. It’s crucial that AI tools are developed with ethical considerations in mind, and that students’ data is kept secure and confidential. Additionally, we must ensure that AI doesn’t create a divide where only certain schools or districts have access to these tools, further deepening the educational inequality that we are trying to address.
Unlocking the Potential of AI for Educational Equity
AI has the potential to be a powerful ally in closing the learning gap. By providing personalized learning paths, real-time feedback, greater accessibility, and flexibility, AI can support struggling students in ways that traditional teaching methods cannot. However, it’s essential to approach AI in the classroom with a balanced perspective, ensuring that teachers remain central to the learning process. As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI in education, it’s my hope that it can become a tool for equity, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.