Professor Mutlu ÇUKUROVA, University College London / Speech Content
Human–AI Teaming in Education: Time to Distinguish Performance from Learning
The rapid diffusion of GenAI is reshaping the foundations of education, challenging long-standing assumptions about what competencies matter, how learning should be organised, and how assessment can validly evidence human development. Drawing on recent international studies and his own research on human–AI complementarity, in this talk Prof. Cukurova argues that the central question for education systems is no longer whether GenAI improves performance, but under what conditions it enhances, or undermines, learning, agency, and professional judgement.
The talk introduces a human–AI teaming perspective that reframes GenAI not as a replacement for human cognition, but as a partner whose educational value depends on intentional pedagogical design. It synthesises emerging evidence showing that unstructured GenAI use can displace cognitive effort and weaken metacognitive engagement, while well-designed human–AI teaming can support learning and improve teaching practices in education and beyond.
