Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Education: Towards a Competency Based, Ethically Grounded Conceptual Model

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming expectations of teachers and teacher education, shifting practice from basic technology integration towards complex forms of AI literacy, human–AI collaboration, and ethical responsibility. Emerging research shows that pre service and in service teachers increasingly encounter AI tools such as generative AI, learning analytics dashboards, and intelligent tutoring systems, yet often possess only moderate AI related competencies and limited guidance on ethical, pedagogically sound use. At the same time, global and national frameworks, including UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Teachers and policy reforms such as India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, are beginning to define AI related teacher competencies but remain unevenly implemented in teacher education programmes (Ministry of Education, 2020; UNESCO, 2024). This conceptual paper synthesises recent empirical studies, systematic reviews, umbrella reviews, and policy documents on AI in teacher education and AI literacy to propose a competency based, ethically grounded conceptual model for AI integration in teacher preparation. Using a narrative, theory informed review of AI literacy frameworks, pre service teacher AI competence studies, conceptual work on human–AI hybrid pedagogy, and current debates on AI ethics in education, the paper identifies four interrelated dimensions: (a) AI related teacher competencies, (b) human–AI hybrid pedagogy, (c) ethical and equity-oriented governance, and (d) institutional and policy alignment. The model positions AI as augmenting—rather than replacing—teachers’ professional judgement and relational work and emphasises safeguarding human agency, inclusion, and academic integrity. Implications are drawn for curriculum design, professional development, assessment, and future research agendas in teacher education, particularly in contexts undergoing system reform such as India under NEP 2020.