Artificial intelligence and professional development of Teachers. Challenges and perspectives

Educational research focuses on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) as a disruptive technology for education, capable of rethinking teaching and learning processes, supporting activities of personalization, democratic access to resources and the creation of immersive, inclusive and adaptive environments. Studies show how AI in Education (AIEd-Artificial Intelligence in Education) can offer teachers new opportunities for designing and managing lessons, but also new challenges related to the need to acquire specific skills, to face the ethical and social issues associated with the use of AI and to maintain an active and critical role in the educational process. A narrative review is used to explore a broad and complex topic such as AI in education, adopting a plural and transdisciplinary perspective was adopted to understand which studies have so far investigated the impact of AI in the educational context in relation to teaching practice and teachers' skills. Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and analysed for major themes and subthemes, namely AI to support teachers' instructional design, self-regulation and feedback, AI to support teachers' curriculum development, and teachers’ confidence in AI in teaching. The paper provides a summary that highlights the use of AI technologies in teacher training and professional development. Some future directions are explored to deepen the topic and promote greater awareness and competence of educational stakeholders in relation to the ethical and pedagogical use of AI, with a possible application of generative AI in the induction of new teachers.