Most teachers have heard of ChatGPT. But the AI landscape in 2026 has exploded with tools specifically built for education and most of them are flying under the radar. As an education researcher and professor at the University of Tennessee, I spend a lot of time testing AI tools so you don’t have to.
Here are my top 5 underrated AI tools that could genuinely transform your teaching.
1. Colleague AI
If I could only recommend one tool on this list, it would be Colleague AI. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Colleague AI is designed specifically for educators by educational researchers. It helps you design curriculum, think through instructional challenges, generate rubrics, perform automatic grading, create lesson plans, slides, and podcasts, and get research-backed teaching advice, all in one place. Think of it as having an expert teaching colleague available 24/7.
Try it at: platform.colleague.ai/assistant
2. Brisk Teaching
Brisk Teaching is a Chrome extension that works directly inside the tools you already use — Google Docs, YouTube, and online textbooks. No switching tabs, no copy-pasting. You can generate lesson plans, create quizzes from any article or video, and give personalized writing feedback without ever leaving your browser. It’s one of the fastest-growing EdTech tools of 2026 for a reason.
Try it at: https://www.briskteaching.com/#v2
3. Notebook LM (Google)
NotebookLM is Google’s best-kept secret for educators. Upload any PDF, research paper, or document, and NotebookLM becomes an instant expert on that content. Students can ask questions, get summaries, and even generate audio podcasts from uploaded materials. It’s a game-changer for research-heavy courses.
Try it at: notebooklm.google.com
4. MagicSchool AI
MagicSchool AI is an all-in-one AI toolkit built specifically for teachers. With 60+ tools, it covers everything from writing IEPs and lesson plans to generating parent emails and rubrics. If you spend hours on administrative tasks, MagicSchool AI will give you that time back.
Try it at: https://app.magicschool.ai/
5. Canva
You probably know Canva as a design tool, but in 2026, Canva’s AI features have quietly made it one of the most powerful tools in education. From AI-generated presentations to Magic Write for lesson materials, Canva is now a full AI productivity suite for educators.
The best AI tool is the one you actually use. Start with one from this list, experiment with it for a week, and see how it changes your workflow. Have you tried any of these tools? Drop a comment below! I’d love to hear what’s working in your classroom!