AI and human-focused work

December 04, 2025

What are your thoughts on AI and human-focused work?

Michael Ma, associate teaching professor, Department of Sociology:

"AI will not replace human-focused teaching and learning. Why? Because I understand teaching and learning--in the context of the classroom where you're interacting with students—to be an ultimately human focused and face to face material interaction between people; especially people who have a curiosity around a certain subject or practice of inquiry where they want to know more and where they want to meet other interlocutors to discuss, debate, tease apart, and to share knowledge. In this sense, academic teaching and learning --especially as it pertains to the classroom where you're trying to create this connection between you and the student and between students themselves— is inherently a person to person relationship."

"So, no, AI will not replace human-focused jobs –in the context of higher education-- but the shape of that job is now constantly changing and allowing for AI to cohabit and exist in that space."