Helping Teachers Teach Better with Inclusive AI

In June, I represented Opportunity International EduFinance at the eLearning Africa Conference in Accra, Ghana, where educators, policymakers, development partners, and innovators gathered to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital learning can support education across Africa.

For me, the conversation was timely. At Opportunity EduFinance, we are constantly asking one important question. How do we support teachers to improve learning outcomes, especially in schools serving low-resource communities?

My session focused on our Teacher Assistant App, an AI-powered tool designed to help teachers create contextualized and differentiated lesson plans. The difference is simple but important. Our tool does not just generate generic content. It is grounded in the Ghana National Curriculum, so when a teacher selects a class and strand, the lesson plan is drawn from the curriculum and tailored to classroom realities.

This matters because teachers are not working with one type of learner. In one classroom, a teacher may have high achievers, average learners, and learners who need more support. The Teacher Assistant App helps suggest activities for these different learning levels within the same lesson period. It is practical support for teachers who are expected to facilitate learning but may not always have the time, training, or resources to plan for every learner.

One of the strongest discussions from the session was about access. We originally designed the tool as an app, but we are now exploring a WhatsApp chatbot because most teachers already use WhatsApp. This reduces concerns around storage, phone compatibility, and software updates. Participants welcomed this direction, but they also challenged us to think beyond one platform. What happens if WhatsApp is unavailable? Could the tool also work through other channels?

Another important question came from a teacher. He asked what these AI solutions mean for teachers who are visually impaired and cannot see, cannot type easily, or teach in schools for learners with disabilities. That question stayed with me. It reminded me that inclusion cannot be an afterthought. If AI is going to support education, it must support all teachers, including those who need voice, audio, or other accessible features.

The feedback was encouraging. Participants liked that the app was curriculum-based rather than simply producing generic lesson plans. Some organizations expressed interest in possible partnerships, while others asked how teachers who visit public learning spaces could also access the tool. That showed me that the need is real.

But it also reminded me of the bigger challenge. AI is here to stay. In the next few years, many solutions will be created for education. The real question is whether they will solve the problems teachers actually face. Some teachers are already using AI without even naming it as AI. Others still struggle with basic digital skills or lack the resources to use these tools confidently.

That is why support for teachers must go beyond technology. It must include training, infrastructure, access to devices, the internet, coaching, and continuous feedback. When we support teachers, we support learners. When learners are supported, communities have a better chance to move out of poverty.

My call is simple. Help us help teachers. We need more investment in practical, scalable, and inclusive digital solutions that meet teachers where they are. The bigger the support, the bigger the impact, and the bigger the smile at the end of the classroom.