In recent years, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has grown from a niche experiment to a mainstream topic of debate. Among the most discussed AI tools is ChatGPT, an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, capable of understanding and generating human-like text. Its potential applications range from answering questions and assisting with writing to providing personalized learning support. One question now rising in public and educational discourse is whether ChatGPT could replace traditional after-school tutoring.
After-school tutoring has long been a staple of the UK education system, especially for students seeking to improve exam performance or gain extra support in subjects like mathematics, science, and English. Tutoring offers individualized attention, tailored explanations, and immediate feedback—features that many students find invaluable. Yet, this system is not without its challenges.
Access to quality tutoring often depends on socio-economic status. Families with higher incomes can afford more frequent or specialised sessions, while others may struggle to provide extra support for their children. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these disparities, with remote learning exposing gaps in educational support. As a result, the search for equitable, scalable alternatives has intensified—and AI tools like ChatGPT are now entering the conversation.
ChatGPT’s appeal lies in its availability, responsiveness, and adaptability. Unlike human tutors, it can be accessed anytime, offering explanations on virtually any topic. For example, a student struggling with calculus can ask ChatGPT to break down concepts step by step, generate practice problems, or provide alternative explanations in plain English.
Moreover, AI can track previous interactions and adjust its responses, creating a quasi-personalized learning experience. For students who might feel intimidated asking a tutor for help, ChatGPT provides a judgment-free zone where mistakes are merely learning opportunities. In addition, AI-driven learning can be cost-effective, reducing the financial burden of traditional tutoring.
However, despite its advantages, ChatGPT cannot fully replicate human tutors. First, while it excels at providing information and explanations, it lacks the emotional intelligence and motivational capacity that human tutors bring to the table. Tutoring is not only about conveying knowledge—it is also about encouragement, accountability, and adapting to a student’s personality and learning style in real time.
Second, ChatGPT can sometimes provide inaccurate or misleading information. Although it is trained on vast datasets, it does not have real-world understanding or the ability to verify facts beyond its training data. For subjects requiring precise knowledge, such as advanced sciences or historical interpretation, this can be a significant limitation.
Third, social learning is a key component of education. Tutors often detect subtle cues—frustration, boredom, confusion—that indicate how a student is processing information. ChatGPT, however sophisticated, cannot fully read human emotions or provide the nuanced interpersonal support that strengthens learning outcomes.
Replacing tutors with AI also raises ethical questions. Data privacy is a concern, particularly for underage students. Interactions with ChatGPT are logged, raising questions about data storage, consent, and potential misuse. Moreover, relying heavily on AI could exacerbate inequalities if access to technology itself is uneven, leaving some students further behind.
Emerging research provides a mixed picture. Pilot programs in the UK have experimented with AI-assisted learning platforms, including ChatGPT, showing promising results for reinforcing concepts and improving homework completion rates. However, these studies consistently note that AI works best as a supplement, not a replacement, for human interaction.
For example, in a 2023 study conducted across several secondary schools, students using AI for practice exercises improved faster in certain subjects than their peers, yet overall engagement and confidence were higher in groups with human tutors. This suggests that the human element—motivation, encouragement, and adaptive teaching—is still indispensable.
Rather than a full replacement, a more feasible model may involve ChatGPT complementing traditional tutoring. AI can handle routine explanations, offer additional practice, and provide 24/7 support, freeing human tutors to focus on higher-level guidance, critical thinking, and personalized mentorship.
Schools could integrate ChatGPT into blended learning programs, ensuring that AI-assisted sessions are monitored and supplemented by human instructors. This hybrid approach could make tutoring more affordable, accessible, and scalable while maintaining educational quality.
The trajectory of AI in education suggests a gradual shift rather than abrupt replacement. Policymakers, educators, and parents must weigh cost-effectiveness against educational outcomes and emotional support. Investment in teacher training for AI integration, as well as robust guidelines for responsible AI use, will be crucial.
In the UK, where education equity remains a high priority, AI tools like ChatGPT present an opportunity to bridge gaps—but only if deployed thoughtfully. Ultimately, the question is not whether AI can replace tutors, but how AI and human educators can collaborate to enhance learning for every student.
ChatGPT offers remarkable capabilities, making personalized, accessible tutoring more attainable than ever. Yet, while it can augment learning, it cannot fully replace the nuanced guidance, motivation, and emotional support provided by human tutors. The path forward lies in strategic integration, using AI as a powerful tool to complement, rather than supplant, traditional after-school tutoring.
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, embracing AI thoughtfully could democratize learning, offering students the best of both worlds: human mentorship and AI-driven support. The future of tutoring in the UK is not an either/or scenario—it is a collaboration between human insight and artificial intelligence.
