Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Mathematics Education

Brittany Pirtle , Bayside High School

Mark Meader, Larkspur Middle School

January 2026

At this point, you are very aware of the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI ) in education. On one hand, AI offers unprecedented potential to personalize, enrich, and support learning. On the other hand, AI challenges us to rethink our roles as teachers, and to reimagine mathematics instruction and assessment.

In this post, we will reflect on a recent position paper, Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics Teaching, published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). We will also examine the thoughtful perspective of A.J. Juliani, an author of the book Adaptable, speaker, and instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, about the human skills our students (and we as educators) must sharpen — and argue that the future of math education lies in using AI as a tool, not a crutch. Finally, we will highlight useful AI tools that will enhance your lessons!

What NCTM Says: AI as a Tool — Not a Replacement

NCTM, in its recent position paper, Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics Teaching, recognizes that AI-driven tools can respond to student thinking in ways not previously possible, generating personalized problems and analyzing student reasoning. Yet the paper emphasizes that AI does not replace the mathematical, pedagogical, and relational expertise of teachers. AI may serve as a “teaching assistant,” but cannot replace the human capacity to connect mathematical ideas, build classroom community, and support student understanding.

NCTM also urges caution around over-reliance. AI tools are known to “hallucinate” answers that are untrue or unreasonable. Problem-solving and strong fundamentals are essential to develop the intuition for whether an output is reasonable. AI may also reflect bias, or omit context. Students must be taught to question, verify, and critique AI outputs.

Why Human Skills - Especially Discernment - Matter More Than Ever

A.J. Juliani argues that as AI becomes more integrated in education, the most important skill students need is discernment — the ability to evaluate information, question sources, and make thoughtful decisions. AI can automate tasks, generate drafts, and analyze patterns, but it cannot replace human judgment, empathy, or ethical reasoning.

Math classrooms can grow discernment by having students:

- Critique AI‑generated problems and solutions

- Compare AI explanations to their own reasoning

- Reflect on whether an AI output is mathematically valid or meaningful

- Discuss when and why AI should (or should not) be used

Practical AI Tools Your Classroom

In Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), AI is one of many tools teachers may use to support learning. It will never replace high-quality instruction, creativity, or critical thinking. Teachers use AI thoughtfully — only when it adds real value to student learning. Teachers are also receiving training on how to use AI safely and effectively, with a focus on making sure students continue to do their own thinking and learning. The VBCPS webpage How AI WIll AI Be Used in Schools, provides additional information regarding the use of AI in elementary, middle and high school classrooms.

Our Instructional Technology Office is providing professional learning sessions to teachers and have highlighted several AI tools for teachers to consider, a few of which are referenced below.

Plug and Play Tools

These tools to support instructional planning include applications to perform specific tasks. If you have not visited Magic School, it is worth the time. It is more than a simple worksheet generator! There are an incredible number of applicaions designed to maximize the effective of your lessons and assist with administrative tasks.

Khanmigo and Diffit for Teachers are also sites for teachers that incorporate AI to support instructional planning.

Prompting Tools

Promping tools incorporate AI and require your input and specific guidance to obtain desired outcomes. Prompting tools, such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot, tend to offer more flexibility and cusomizable.

Click here to sample all the VBCPS 5-Star AI Tools!

Virginia Beach City Public Schools continues to provide professional learning in understanding the role and responsibilities of teachers as they guide students in using AI tools to foster academic integrity and build AI literacy so that students can be future-ready. Reach out to the Instructional Technology Specialist assigned to your school if you need more support in navigating AI as a tool for education.

Check out the Coaches Corner in the DTAL January Newsletter for tasks created by your Secondary Mathematics Coaches in response to last year's assessment data.

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