'AI should assist teachers, not replace them': Union warns of AI marking risks (www.rnz.co.nz)

A recent paper presented at the Post Primary Teachers' Association conference highlights rising concerns about automated marking by AI in New Zealand’s education system. The Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has begun using AI to assess reading, writing, and maths tests, reporting an impressive agreement of over 80% accuracy compared to human markers. While this technology promises efficiency, the paper emphasizes the crucial role teachers play in marking as a means of professional learning and maintaining educational standards. The reduced need for human markers—dropping from 100 to just 34—raises questions about the future of teacher involvement in assessment. The report argues for a hybrid model of assessment where AI assists rather than replaces human educators, cautioning that current AI systems struggle with complex grading and may misrepresent students' performance levels. Supporters of AI in marking recognize its potential to save administrative time but stress that ultimate responsibility must lie with human teachers to uphold the integrity of assessments. The union advocates for retaining human oversight in grading processes to ensure that the evaluation system remains credible and to safeguard educational standards, thus reinforcing the sentiment that while AI can be a valuable tool in education, it should not diminish the essential role of teachers.