Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called for human teachers to be replaced with artificial intelligence-powered machines in schools across America, arguing that AI bots would make “great” educators.

Gates argues that AI teachers could ensure students get a better education in public schools because the bots would encourage children to “step up” their learning.

Specifically, AI chatbots will soon be able to offer helpful feedback on essays, including how to write with more clarity and make well-reasoned arguments, Gates said on his “Unconfuse Me” podcast.

He pitched the idea during a recent episode featuring Khan Academy CEO Sal Khan.

Replacing human teachers with machines would be a huge step for global education, Gates said.

He lamented that the software programs used by today’s teachers are “not that great” at teaching reading or writing skills.

However, by using AI-powered bots, schools could overcome the shortcomings of human teachers and their regular software programs, according to Gates.

“Very few students get feedback [from teachers] on an essay that ‘this could be clearer,’ ‘you really skipped this piece and the reasoning,’” Gates explains.

He continued by arguing that an AI would be more thorough in reviewing a student’s work and would encourage them to improve.

“I do think the AI will be like a great high school teacher who really marks your essay, and you go back and think, ‘OK, I need to step up there,’” he said.

Gates suggested that a single AI machine could replace several human teachers who are often overworked and don’t have the time to give individual students their attention.

Chatbots could be put to work around the clock and help “close the [education] gap” for low-income students around the world, he said.

For that to happen, however, the AI bots would need to first learn from human teachers before they can replace them, Gates admitted.

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