Irreplaceable Human Educators in Moral and Character Education during the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Advances in artificial intelligence technology (AI) have significantly impacted education in practice. Such a trend is also becoming prevalent in moral and character education. In this paper, I will argue whether moral and character educators will remain as irreplaceable educational agents in the era of AI. For the discussion, I will examine whether AI agents will be able to become sole teachers or mentors while considering three aspects of ethics education: 1. Phronesis cultivation; 2. Promotion of moral and positive youth development; and 3. Development of autonomy and agency for the wise and ethical use of AI. I will refer to relevant theoretical and empirical studies on moral development and education to examine AI’s potential capacity related to the three aspects of moral education. Finally, I will briefly discuss how the role of human moral and character educators needs to be reshaped during the era of AI.