An Unlikely Superhero

The audience at the “Using AI to Transform AP® Exam Prep” session during the 2025 AP Annual Conference was already buzzing with the kind of energy only AP teachers in July can muster: equal parts exhaustion, caffeine, and optimism.

The presenters, Dr. Marla James, a teacher at Union Catholic High School in New Jersey, and Peter Paccone, an AP teacher at San Marino Unified School District in California,  kicked things off with the top 10 challenges AP teachers face in the final stretch of the school year: challenges like mentorship fatigue, question bank depletion, timely feedback in bulk, and covering all of the required content. 

Then an unlikely superhero was introduced: AI.  And not the scary, take-over-the-world kind, but the helpful, “let me grade that for you” kind. 

According to the 2025 Gallup and Walton Family Foundation Report, teachers using AI save an average of 5.9 hours per week. Beyond time savings, 57% report improved grading and student feedback, while 61% say AI helps them generate higher-quality insights from student learning and achievement data.

During the session, the presenters explored a range of AI-powered tools designed to support teachers. Platforms like Class Companion, Diffit and Magic School showcased how AI can personalize feedback and streamline instructional support. Tools like Google’s NotebookLM can transform a simple PDF of AP content into a podcast—live, in under 30 seconds. 

James and Paccone then moved into AI-assisted lesson planning and practice question generation. While the possibilities were inspiring, the session also addressed real concerns: inappropriate student use of AI and the growing need for tools to detect AI-generated work.

As the session wrapped up, AP teachers shared their own classroom experiences with AI. Many left feeling hopeful, like maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t have to white-knuckle their way through April and May next year. With AI enhancing both efficiency and instructional quality, teachers are better equipped to foster deeper understanding and critical thinking in their students.

AI won’t replace teachers. But it can be a superpowered tool.

BONUS: James and Paccone shared their digital toolkit filled with links to a collection AI tools for teachers, blog posts, online articles, Facebook groups, and YouTube Videos all designed for teachers wanting to further explore the world of AI in education.