Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about AI, from the Prime Minister to the average person on the street.

It makes me reflect on the 43 years I spent dealing with technological advancements, changes in teaching methods, and changes in student behaviour patterns. Despite these challenges, I persevered and continued providing the service my devoted students expected from me.

I can't deny feeling nostalgic for the simple pen and paper days. I also smile when I think of our prominent allies; the multi-copier operated with a crank and produced purple-coloured copies that tended to fade away after a few weeks so that we couldn't use them for long. And then there were the blackboards, the most hated classroom utensils. As a female tutor with lovely, manicured long nails, I always feared the moment the chalk would reach its end, forcing my nails to scratch the slate and sending me into an unstoppable frenzy of goose pimples. I'm sure many of us remember those tutors wearing dark blazers and looking like they could do with a bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo.

Later on, audiovisual aids such as tape and video recorders were introduced, and pencils took a new role, helping to rewind tapes jammed in the middle of the machine and very often destroying the recording. This experience taught us that being prepared for unexpected situations was the key to being a good teacher. To help us with this, the photocopier became our saviour, allowing us to copy essential materials for our lessons. However, sometimes the copier was unavailable, or the paper had got damp, jamming the machine and sending any experienced teacher into insanity.

The era of computers was supposed to make our lives easier, but during inspection time, those who used computers as learning aids were inspected twice as much. The inspectors were often surprised by this new technology. However, I am glad I accepted this challenge because it allowed me to become a teacher for the "reborn" generation that refuses to age. Due to COVID, I now offer an alternative to my students through Internet virtual classes, which many prefer. It saves them time and money, helps them combat pollution and allows them to join in the sessions from any place in the world, or while waiting for a delivery or the plumber.

While immensely useful, has the invention of computers and mobile phones led to decreased interest in traditional language learning? Up to a certain point, yes. With the availability of translation apps and devices, people may feel more inclined not to attend language classes and avoid making mistakes in front of others. The convenience of speaking on the phone and having it translated seamlessly into any desired language eliminates that potential embarrassment.

As advancements in technology continue to emerge, especially with the introduction of AI to the classroom, I view them as helpful tools for educators, especially in providing effective communication with students in well-defined contexts. These tools allow students to practice their language skills, both in written and spoken forms. As an educator, it is essential to be flexible and adapt to changes. Every change brings both positive and negative consequences, and it is up to you to manage them.

Am I helping to end a beautiful profession with my thoughts? As it happened 43 years ago, the key is to find ways to make these tools attractive to your students, focusing on gaining more than losing. Ultimately, it is up to the educator to alleviate fears and ensure the technology is utilised to its fullest potential. But I am hopeful that, even when the AI technology has matured considerably, any online institution tempted by the potential financial gains that purely non-human AI-driven virtual tutors may bring will also realise that much better educational outcomes will be achieved through a team of qualified (online) human teachers that are supported by virtual robots.