Some Belmont parents have chatted with me about possible AI tutors: they promise to revolutionize learning with 24/7 availability and endless patience. But before you replace your human tutor with a digital “genius,” let’s be real: AI tutors don’t even come close to what humans bring to the table.
First, humans understand chaos. You can tell your tutor your dog ate the Wi-Fi cable, and they’ll laugh, sympathize, and get back to teaching. AI? It’ll ask you to “rephrase” or suggest another productivity tracker. Humans handle life’s messiness because they live it, too.
Second, sarcasm and humor? Humans thrive on it. Tell an AI you’re “thrilled” to spend Friday night on math, and you’ll get data on time management. Say the same to a human, and they’ll smirk, commiserate, and crack a joke that makes the lesson bearable.
Humans also know when you’re faking it. AI believes your “I get it” and moves on, while a human will see through your bluff and patiently reteach the material. They’re emotionally attuned—offering pep talks when life feels overwhelming, not just spitting out geometry tips.
And let’s not forget adaptability. Try interrupting AI mid-explanation—it won’t go well. Humans pause, re-explain, and adapt without missing a beat. They can roll with technical glitches, too, laughing about their cat knocking over the router instead of leaving you with a frozen screen.
Finally, humans know when to call it a day. They see when you’re fried and need a break, understanding that learning is about quality, not quantity.
AI tutors might be efficient, but they’re no match for a human’s empathy, humor, and flexibility. Education isn’t just about answers—it’s about connection.
Curtis Eames, Lewis Road