Rethinking AI in EdTech: Why Human-Centered Design Still Matters

Artificial intelligence is reshaping education at every level, from personalized tutoring and automated grading to predictive analytics and curriculum design. But as EdTech platforms race to adopt the latest models and algorithms, a growing number of educators and technologists are raising a critical question: Are we optimizing for innovation, or for impact?

While AI can deliver personalized content at scale, it often fails to replicate the nuance of human instruction. Fully automated systems, particularly those targeting K–12 learners, struggle to adapt to diverse learning styles, cultural contexts, and emotional needs. Without careful design, these systems risk reinforcing disengagement rather than resolving it.

Achraf Golli, Co-Founder, CPO of Quizard AI, has been vocal about these challenges. In a Forbes article titled "AI Is Changing Consumer Apps: Here's What That Means For Innovators", he explains how he has seen this firsthand and how this shift is rewriting the competitive landscape. Teams can now create applications that compete with those from major industry players, leveraging AI to automate development, enhance user experiences, and expand marketing impact. Golli stresses that equity needs to be a primary design principle, not an afterthought. “Technology should enhance the learning journey, not flatten it,” he writes. “When we prioritize engagement metrics over educational value, we risk designing systems that feel efficient but fail to educate.”

Achraf Golli emphasizes the power of hybrid instructional models—systems where AI delivers adaptive, personalized content while educators offer the emotional intelligence and contextual judgment that technology cannot replicate. His work consistently reinforces a key insight: students thrive most when AI enhances, rather than replaces, the role of teachers.

Golli’s principles are not just theoretical—they’ve informed real-world tools designed to balance automation with human oversight. His platform enables educators to monitor student progress through AI-generated summaries, all while retaining control over pacing, content, and classroom dynamics. This model respects educator expertise while leveraging AI’s strengths in data processing and personalization.

This dual approach has shown particular impact in multilingual classrooms, where teachers can draw on localized insights to tailor instruction to diverse student needs—without losing consistency or cohesion across the learning environment.

In addition to his leadership in EdTech strategy, Golli actively shares hands-on solutions with broader audiences. In his DZone article, "Create Your Own AI-Powered Virtual Tutor: An Easy Tutorial", he offers a guide for building intelligent tutoring systems, making this innovation accessible to developers and educators alike.

By blending intelligent automation with human facilitation, Golli is helping shape an EdTech future where innovation is as compassionate as it is cutting-edge.

Responsible Innovation in Education Technology

AI’s success in education ultimately depends on trust, both in the technology and in the people deploying it. Co-designing with teachers, students, and parents is critical to building tools that are inclusive, transparent, and genuinely useful.

In parallel, Golli’s participation in the Forbes Technology Council has allowed him to collaborate with cross-sector experts on policies for safe and equitable AI use. These conversations often extend beyond code, into the regulatory, cultural, and pedagogical frameworks that shape how students experience education.

Golli also shares his insights publicly, such as in his Hackernoon article "The Earlier You Integrate AI, the More Efficient Your Work Becomes", where he underscores the practical value of early AI adoption in driving productivity and innovation.

“We can’t build the future of education in isolation,” Golli emphasizes. “Responsible innovation means opening up the design process, sharing failures, and staying accountable to the communities we serve.”

As AI continues to transform the education landscape, the most impactful tools won’t just be the most advanced, they’ll be the most empathetic. From hybrid models to ethical data practices, the future of EdTech is human-centered by design. Leaders like Achraf Golli are helping shift the narrative from automation for automation’s sake to intelligence that serves learners first.