AI in classrooms: Friend or foe? Benefits, boundaries, and why learning is still a human act

AI-enabled devices in schools, or AI PCs, transform computers from passive tools to active learning partners, offering personalised practice, instant feedback, and workload relief for teachers. Benefits include mid-task intervention, early detection of learning gaps, and tailored support, while risks involve deskilling, data exposure, bias, inequity, and assessment integrity issues. Effective adoption requires clear governance, hybrid workflows, human oversight, teacher training, and evidence-based evaluation. When thoughtfully integrated, AI amplifies teaching without replacing human care and judgement.