Romania supports the use of artificial intelligence in schools, but teachers remain irreplaceable

Romania supports the integration of artificial intelligence in education to stimulate creativity, personalization of learning and pedagogical innovation, but believes that new technologies must be a support tool for teachers, not a substitute for them. The position was expressed by the Ministry of Education and Research following the participation of Minister Mihai Dimian at the meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council of the Council of the European Union.

• Artificial intelligence, the substitute teacher who does not receive the catalog

During the meeting, member states discussed and adopted conclusions on the role of teachers in the era of artificial intelligence. The document highlights the impact of AI on the educational process and the need for continuous development of digital skills for both teachers and students. According to the ministry, Romania supports the use of artificial intelligence for: stimulating creativity;

innovating teaching methods; personalizing educational resources; creating more flexible and inclusive learning paths. At the same time, the authorities emphasize that teachers remain essential in the education process. In other words, the chatbot can explain equations, generate tests and quickly correct exercises, but it cannot raise that famous eyebrow that makes students instantly remember that the homework was supposed to be taught yesterday.

• Teachers remain at the center of education

The Ministry of Education believes that technology must reduce the administrative burden and provide additional teaching tools, without affecting the professional autonomy of teachers. This approach seeks a balance between modernization and preserving the human role in education. No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it still cannot replace the intuition of the teacher who knows, at a glance, who has learned and who hopes that the algorithm will take pity. A document on the future Erasmus+ program for the period 2028-2034 was also approved at the meeting. Romania appreciates the new structure of the program as a strategic instrument for: strengthening educational mobility; expanding European cooperation; increasing the quality and relevance of education systems; increasing the resilience of education in Europe.

The program will continue to support alliances of European universities and collaboration with initiatives such as Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund.

• Reducing the urban-rural gap, a national priority

During the debate dedicated to basic skills and the future of the European Education Area, Minister Mihai Dimian emphasized that Romania aims to:

reducing the differences between urban and rural areas; developing lifelong learning; adapting education to the demands of the labor market. Romania also participates in a European mutual counseling cluster on basic skills, which will contribute to the development of the future support mechanism of the European Commission.

• Bilateral talks with Ukraine and Italy

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mihai Dimian met with Oksen Lisovyi, to whom he conveyed the importance of maintaining and developing high school education in Romanian in the regions of Ukraine inhabited by the Romanian community. At the same time, the Romanian minister discussed with Giuseppe Valditara Romania's participation in initiatives in the Mediterranean area dedicated to vocational and technical education.

• Education of the future: technology with a human face

Romania's position reflects a pragmatic approach: artificial intelligence can become an important ally of the school, but it cannot substitute the relationship between teacher and student. In short, algorithms can generate lessons, propose exercises and make impeccable summaries, but only the teacher knows when a student needs additional explanation or encouragement.