Canva survey: Burnout pushes US teachers to use AI


A new survey conducted by the graphic design platform Canva showed a significant increase in the number of K to12 teachers in the United States using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to increase efficiency and avoid the feeling of burnout.



The survey, released in light of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6 to 10) in the US, found that about 35 percent of over 1,000 teachers surveyed experience feelings of burnout on a daily basis or for the majority of the workweek, while around 85 percent experience feelings of exhaustion and stress at least some days.


According to Canva, the feeling of burnout at work is causing teachers to quit their jobs and shift to other careers. In fact, the survey identified burnout as one of the leading causes of absenteeism among K-12 teachers.


However, with the rise of AI technology, teachers have found ways to ease their burden, alleviating the feeling of burnout and addressing pain points, according to 92 percent of the respondents who have applied AI in their classrooms.


Currently, approximately 42 percent of K to 12 teachers in the US have adopted AI in their classrooms and learning materials.

Millennial and Gen Z educators were found to be leading the initiative, with over 49 percent using AI to customize lesson plans and classroom preparations.

Experts have said that AI can benefit teachers in easing up their administrative workload as the tool can help in preparing lesson plans, grading schoolwork and providing students with real-time feedback.

In its report titled “Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education,” the Second Congressional Commission on Education found that teachers bear about 50 administrative and ancillary tasks, forcing them to render time beyond their eight-hour duty without pay.