Artificial intelligence in school mathematics education: awareness, readiness, and usage among mathematics teachers

<p><strong>Context and relevance.</strong> This article presents the results of the study conducted among mathematics teachers – the category of teachers particularly inclined toward critical thinking and evidence-based application of innovations in education. <strong>Objective.</strong> The objective of this study is to identify the awareness of math teachers about the AI capabilities and potential in teaching as well as the practice of their application in the educational process. <strong>Methods and materials.</strong> To achieve this objective, a questionnaire was developed, comprising three main sections: awareness, readiness, and practical application. The survey was conducted online using Yandex Forms. A total of 122 mathematics teachers from 44 regions of the Russian Federation, varying in age and teaching experience, participated in the study. <strong>Results.</strong> The results showed that approximately 70% of the respondents express a willingness to use AI in their teaching process. The directions in which math teachers are most and least inclined to trust AI have been identified. The proportion of teachers currently using AI technologies and specific software products based on AI ranges from 13% to 40%. <strong>Conclusions. </strong>A significant part of teachers is generally aware of AI's potential. However, their knowledge is fragmentary, covering only certain aspects and lacking systematic understanding. Promising directions for further research include examining the issues surrounding the use of AI technologies in the educational process while taking into account their specific characteristics. Special attention is recommended to improving teaching methodologies based on AI technologies and identifying effective ways to apply them for the development of students’ cognitive abilities.</p>