Smart Teaching in Rural Indonesia: Harnessing AI-Assisted Deep Learning for Teacher Professional Development

This study presents an innovative AI-assisted TPD framework that uses Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered lesson plan generators to fully incorporate Indonesia’s four core teacher competencies: pedagogy, professionalism, social engagement, and interpersonal development, while applying deep learning principles of joyful, meaningful, and mindful education. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combined quantitative experimental analysis with qualitative teacher perceptions to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-assisted interventions. Results from an independent t-test showed a significant increase in post-test scores among the experimental group, with a t-value of 17,1 exceeding the critical value of 1,984 (α = 0,05, df = 98), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This indicates that AI-assisted training had a meaningful and statistically significant impact on teacher development. Moreover, AI promotes community-based learning, improves institutional readiness, and encourages educators to think globally while acting locally. Despite these benefits, challenges remain, such as interpersonal disengagement, cultural and pedagogical mismatches, difficulties in curriculum adaptation, the need for prompt engineering skills, and concerns about teacher autonomy. However, the limited duration of the intervention is a constraint, suggesting that long-term engagement is necessary for sustained improvement. Policy efforts should focus on extending training periods and integrating culturally responsive AI pedagogy.