Technology has had serious advancements in many aspects throughout our lives. From the NASA Space Station to grocery stores, technology has improved our way of living in many ways. However, when it comes to education and grading students’ work, some believe it is better to have a real human with real feelings analyzing it rather than a computer or AI program. Sometimes the computer can oversimplify or not fully understand what the student is trying to convey because it isn’t a real person. 

Writing is personal. An essay is not just a collection of random sentences; it reflects a student’s thoughts and creative side. Sometimes a computer can oversimplify or fail to fully understand what the student is trying to convey. Real teachers can recognize tone, humor, sarcasm, and emotion. They can sense when a student is taking a creative risk or expressing something that means a lot to them. A teacher might also know their students personally, which also helps them understand their writing better. A computer may only look for grammar patterns and structure instead of the deeper meaning behind the work. 

Another concern is fairness because some computers are designed to be “objective,” they are programmed by humans and rely on algorithms. If the system favors a certain writing style, students who think or write differently will receive a lower score, not because their writing wasn’t good, but because it wasn’t what the computer liked. For example, a student who experiments with sentence structure or tells a powerful personal story might not fit within the mold that the computer or AI expects. A human teacher, on the other hand, can appreciate originality and growth over time.

Additionally, since AI has its own specific way of writing, it will grade your paper in that format. “It loves dramatic transitions, lists of three, and it always words things in the most efficient possible way. It’s very unnatural, and I started to notice it regularly,” said teacher Jon Ringel. This shows that when AI grades, it wants the writing to fit the style it uses, leaving no room for personalization. Instead of completely replacing teachers, computers could assist them by handling basic grammar corrections while teachers focus on the real quality of the students’ writing. 

“I think using AI to grade my essays is not a good idea. These algorithms do not understand my writing, so having the teacher connection is very essential to get accurate grading. Also, it is the teachers’ jobs to grade these essays; the algorithm can get it wrong. I have seen this firsthand,” said senior Nia Freeman. Many students have expressed their anger and frustration with their hard work being graded by AI. If they took the time to write it themselves, they deserve a grade given by a human.

Personally, I would feel uncomfortable knowing a computer was the only deciding factor in my final grade for a class or for any major essay. Writing is a form of expression, and I would want someone who understands me and my writing style to grade it. Technology should help education, but not fully replace human connection.