If you’ve ever wondered what to do with a bunch of leftovers in the fridge or needed help transforming an image, chances are you’ve turned to an AI chatbot for help. Although there might only be a few specifically labeled as AI chatbots for teachers, many of the chatbot tools available right now can come in handy for educators.
These tools are becoming part of our daily lives, not just for fun personal projects (like the Sesame Street-style post I shared on Instagram), but for tackling big and small teaching tasks, too. Whether it’s streamlining lesson planning, drafting a parent newsletter, or finding the right words for a tough conversation, AI chatbots can make a big difference.
Over the past year, I’ve hosted workshops, webinars and even delivered keynote presentations on using AI for instructional planning. During these sessions, one topic that always gets teachers talking is how AI chatbots can support everyday goals. So in this post, I’ll take you through a few options I think are worth checking out—whether you’re brand-new to chatbots or looking to explore beyond ChatGPT.
What is an AI Chatbot?
An AI chatbot is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to respond to your questions, generate content, or help you brainstorm ideas. You can type in a question or prompt and receive a written response in return. These tools use large language models (LLMs) trained on massive amounts of text to provide helpful answers.
It’s important to note what AI chatbots aren’t. They’re not perfect. They don’t “think” like humans, and sometimes they make things up—a phenomenon often referred to as a “hallucination.” During my keynote presentations, I usually share a few stories related to hallucinations because although it can be an issue, I don’t think it’s a reason to stay away from this technology. When used thoughtfully, they can be powerful partners in your teaching toolkit.
If you’ve followed my work, you know I’ve shared lots of resources for ChatGPT. But ChatGPT is just one option. Most of the resources I’ve shared (like my prompt downloads and planning templates) will work with just about any chatbot on the list below. While I love exploring all sorts of AI-powered educational tools, AI chatbots are a great place to start. If you’re curious about the basics or looking for a fun teacher gift, check out my quick reference guide—perfect for getting started.
8 AI Chatbots for Teachers: Standout Tools
There are plenty of chatbot options available, and new ones pop up regularly. Below, I’ve highlighted a few that stand out and explained what makes each worth considering. This isn’t a full compare-and-contrast chart but a snapshot of what makes these chatbots unique.
ChatGPT
This is the one most teachers have heard of. ChatGPT is super popular, widely adopted, and always changing with new updates and features. It’s customizable for users and has both free and paid versions. You can even try it out without logging in—perfect for testing it out quickly or sharing it with someone who doesn’t want to create a new account.
Gemini (from Google)
Formerly known as Bard, Gemini was built by Google and integrates seamlessly with its tools. One standout feature I love is the ability to export chatbot responses directly into a Google Doc. This makes it easy to make edits and collaborate with a colleague. The free version gives you access to lots of great features.
Duck AI Chat (from DuckDuckGo)
Duck is one of my favorite tools to share with educators, and it’s really been a hit at the workshops I’ve led this year. You don’t need to log in to use it, and the interface is super simple. It even lets you try out different models (like Claude or GPT-4), which is great if you’re curious about how different tools compare without setting up a bunch of accounts.
Copilot (from Microsoft)
If you’re already using Microsoft tools like Word or PowerPoint, Copilot is an obvious choice. It’s designed to work within the Microsoft ecosystem, and it can even generate images. Copilot can be especially useful for schools or districts already deep into Microsoft environments.
Claude (from Anthropic)
Claude is another popular option, with a clean and simple interface. One thing that sets it apart is the ability to upload documents for the chatbot to reference in the free version. This is useful for lesson planning, summarizing student work, or giving feedback. Depending on the version of other tools you use, you might see this option, too.
Perplexity
I’ve heard a lot of teachers mention using this chatbot tool as opposed to some of the others on the list. In addition to giving you a solid answer, it provides sources and suggests related resources like videos or images. You might use some of the additional information Perplexity gives to dive deeper after getting your initial response.
Raina (from MagicSchool)
This chatbot is built right into MagicSchool, so it’s one less tab to open if you’re already using their platform. Raina is very straightforward, and while it might not have all the bells and whistles of ChatGPT, it’s a good place to start if you’re already using MagicSchool’s suite of tools.
Assistants (from SchoolAI)
SchoolAI includes a variety of AI “assistants” designed to act like experts on different topics. You’ll find support for everything from curriculum planning to field trip logistics. Like Raina, this tool is already embedded in a platform you might be using, which makes it a convenient option for streamlining your workflow.
Things to Keep in Mind
As you explore AI chatbots to support your instructional goals as an educator or your personal productivity, I always recommend having a “healthy hesitation.” As I mentioned earlier in the post, these tools are smart, but they’re not always right. They might present outdated information or generate details that sound real but aren’t. That’s why it’s important to double-check any facts and read through their responses with a critical eye.
Chatbots can also reflect bias depending on how they were trained, so take time to review the suggestions they provide—especially if you’re using them to create materials for students. If you’re just starting, you can download my free ChatGPT prompt resource. The prompts included work with all of the tools mentioned in this blog post and are perfect for trying out different ideas and strategies.
AI Chatbots for Teachers
AI chatbots for teachers aren’t just a passing trend—they’re here to stay. Whether you’re creating supplemental resources for students, planning a unit, or responding to emails, they can help you save time and spark new ideas. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and the right tool for you might be different from the one your colleague uses.
As always, the goal is to use technology to make teaching easier and learning more meaningful. I hope this post helps you explore a few new tools or feel more confident about the ones you’ve already tried. If you’re ready to dive deeper, grab my quick reference guide or reach out about setting up a workshop for your school, district, or organization.
