AI can transform education when it is used to empower teachers, not replace them. Drawing from my work as a senior lecturer, AI trainer, and curriculum designer, this article shares practical ways educators can integrate AI to enhance learning while keeping human values at the centre.
Who I Am And Why I Care About AI In Education
I am Dr Muhamad Hariz Bin Muhamad Adnan, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technology, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. My teaching and research focus on Artificial Intelligence-driven digital transformation in education, cloud computing, data science, and technopreneurship.
Over the past decade, I have helped design curricula, lead faculty-level innovation, and conduct AI-related training for teachers, lecturers, government agencies, and corporations in Malaysia and abroad. My work has been recognised through awards such as Anugerah Inovasi PdP, Anugerah Ahli Akademik Harapan at UPSI, and the national MDEC Top Trainer award for digital skills.
Most importantly, I believe that AI belongs in every classroom and community, not just in research labs or big tech companies. My mission is to make AI a practical, ethical tool that helps teachers and students thrive in real schools, polytechnics, and universities.
My Journey Integrating AI In Teaching And Learning
At UPSI, I teach courses in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI and ChatGPT, and related technologies, where I combine theory with hands-on, project-based learning. In my classes, students use AI tools for tasks such as generating ideas, analysing data, and building prototypes, while still being guided to think critically about accuracy, bias, and academic integrity.
I embed AI into my teaching through approaches like gamification, AI-assisted feedback, and immersive virtual learning environments that have been recognised by teaching innovation awards. Beyond formal courses, I also design and deliver professional development programmes for teachers, lecturers, and education leaders on how to integrate AI in lesson planning, assessment, and student support.
Currently, I am involved in developing a MOOC focused on AI in education training, which aims to make AI literacy accessible to educators across Malaysia and beyond. This combination of university teaching, research, and national-level training gives me a holistic perspective on what works and what does not when bringing AI into classrooms.
My Principles For Using AI In Education
Based on my experience, AI in education should follow three core principles:
1. People-Centred, Not Tool-Centred
AI should serve teachers and students, not the other way around. When schools focus only on tools, they risk creating shortcuts instead of deep learning. When they focus on people, AI becomes a way to personalise instruction, reduce workload, and open new learning opportunities.
2. Augment Teachers, Do Not Replace Them
AI can automate routine tasks like drafting quiz questions, generating practice problems, or summarising feedback, freeing teachers’ time for mentoring and higher-order teaching. However, decisions about curriculum, assessment fairness, and student well-being must remain with human educators who understand their learners’ contexts.
3. Ethical And Responsible By Design
Whenever I teach AI to educators or students, we talk about bias, plagiarism, privacy, and the importance of transparent use of AI tools. Responsible AI in education means clear guidelines, open discussions with students, and continuous reflection, not blind adoption.
Practical Ways I Help Educators Use AI
Through university courses, workshops, and corporate and government training, I focus on practical, classroom-ready AI strategies for educators. Some of the areas I frequently work on include:
AI-Assisted Lesson Planning
I show teachers how to use generative AI tools to brainstorm lesson ideas, differentiate materials for diverse learners, and align activities with learning outcomes, while still exercising professional judgement.
AI for Feedback and Assessment
Educators learn how to leverage AI to draft rubric-based comments, create practice questions, or provide formative feedback, and then refine that output to match their own voice and standards.
Generative AI and ChatGPT in the Classroom
In my Generative AI and ChatGPT teaching, I cover prompt design, AI as a thinking partner, and how to set clear boundaries so students use AI to explore ideas, not outsource their work.
AI for Inclusive and Engaging Learning
We explore how AI can support students who need additional scaffolding, translation, or alternative modalities, and how teachers can use analytics to spot patterns and intervene earlier.
My Research And Projects In AI In Education
My academic and professional work connects AI techniques with real educational challenges. My research interests include autonomous decision-making and intelligent systems that help humans make better decisions, which naturally extend to educational settings where teachers and institutions must allocate resources and personalise learning.
I am involved in AI in education projects that explore how generative AI tools can support teachers’ workload, how students experience AI-powered learning environments, and what factors influence safe and effective adoption in schools. At international conferences, including events hosted by Kazan Federal University, I share lessons from Malaysia on how universities can prepare future teachers and professionals for an AI-rich world.
These projects inform my training content, ensuring that the strategies I recommend are grounded in both research evidence and classroom realities. Educators who work with me gain access not just to tools, but to a research-informed framework for sustainable AI integration.
How I Support Schools, Universities, And Education Systems
My role is not limited to individual classrooms. I also help institutions and systems think strategically about AI. Some ways I collaborate with institutions include:
- Designing AI in education roadmaps and training programmes for ministries, polytechnics, and universities.
- Advising on curriculum updates so that teacher education and IT programmes embed AI literacy, ethics, and hands-on practice.
- Supporting digital transformation initiatives where AI, cloud computing, and data analytics are introduced together to modernise teaching and learning.
By working at the intersection of policy, curriculum, and classroom practice, I help education leaders implement AI in a way that is coherent, ethical, and aligned with long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI In Education
Is Dr Hariz a qualified AI trainer for educational institutions?
Yes. Dr Muhamad Hariz holds a PhD in Information Technology and is a Senior Lecturer at UPSI specialising in AI-driven digital transformation in education. He is HRD Corp certified and has trained educators, government agencies, and corporations across Malaysia.
Does Dr Hariz offer AI in education training for schools and universities?
Yes. Dr Hariz offers keynotes, workshops, semester-long courses, and advisory programmes tailored to schools, polytechnics, and universities. Training can be delivered on-site or online, in Bahasa Malaysia or English.
What AI tools does Dr Hariz cover in education training?
Training covers a range of tools including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, generative AI platforms, and AI-powered learning management tools, always within an ethical and practical framework suited to Malaysian educational contexts.
How can I invite Dr Hariz to conduct AI training at my institution?
You can reach out through the contact page on this website or connect directly via LinkedIn. Dr Hariz welcomes invitations from universities, schools, government agencies, and education ministries in Malaysia and internationally.
Work With Me On AI In Education
If you are a teacher, lecturer, school leader, or policymaker who wants to introduce AI responsibly into your teaching and institution, I would be happy to collaborate. I offer keynotes, workshops, semester-long courses, and advisory programmes tailored to your context, whether you are just starting or already running AI projects.
You can learn more about my teaching and research on this website, or invite me to conduct AI in education training for your institution in Malaysia or internationally. Together, we can ensure that AI strengthens, rather than weakens, the human heart of education.