TEACHER VS. TECHNOLOGY: WILL AI REPLACE OR ASSIST EDUCATORS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS?

This study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in primary education through the lens of the question: Will AI replace or assist educators? Using data from 30 respondents including parents, teachers, and technologists, the research evaluates awareness, usage, effectiveness, and challenges of AI tools in learning. Objectives include assessing AI's impact on student skills and learning outcomes, and understanding opinions on the evolving role of teachers. Findings show moderate awareness and limited usage of AI tools at home and school. While digital literacy and reasoning skills were commonly developed, soft skills saw less improvement. Most respondents agreed that AI makes learning more interesting but expressed concerns about screen time and reduced human interaction. The majority viewed AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement for teachers. Chi-square tests found no statistically significant associations but strong descriptive support. The study concludes that AI is best positioned as a complement to traditional teaching, requiring teacher training and balanced integration.