Chapter 3: ChatGPT as a teaching assistant to optimize lesson planning: Methodological innovation in smart classrooms

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence has transformed contemporary pedagogical practices, particularly in microcurricular planning. This chapter presents a methodological innovation focused on using ChatGPT as a pedagogical assistant to optimize teachers’ time and enhance curricular contextualization. Based on an experience carried out in a public educational institution in Ecuador, it describes the design and validation phases of a guideline that supports teachers in developing didactic units with AI assistance. ChatGPT use improved the coherence among curricular components, the writing of learning objectives, and the selection of suitable teaching strategies. Results show a significant reduction in planning time and greater teacher satisfaction regarding the quality and creativity of their lesson plans. The chapter also reflects on the ethical and training challenges posed by AI in education, highlighting the need to develop critical digital competencies in teachers. This experience stands as a replicable model for building intelligent classrooms oriented toward meaningful learning.