Why would anyone need a teacher if there’s AI now?

I’m a language teacher — I teach English, Italian, and Russian — and in this series of posts I’m trying to figure out if it’s time for me to start looking for a new job. Are my services still needed now that AI is taking over?
Here’s what I want to tell you.

Yes, AI will definitely take away some of our students.
But that part will be tiny.
Want to know why? Let me explain — using myself as an example.

I’m a pretty strong-willed person. Procrastination isn’t really my thing.
Case in point: I taught myself English and Italian up to a solid C1–C2 level. No courses, no tutors, no magic methods. Just pure love for languages and stubborn determination.
Okay, enough bragging.

Unfortunately, that same willpower does not extend to other areas of my life. Take fitness, for example. I can only make progress there if someone is standing over me — ideally with a whip — making sure I don’t slack off or scroll on my phone for 10 out of the 15 minutes of the workout.

So I got a trainer.

Someone who keeps me accountable and doesn’t let me waste time pretending to stretch while I’m actually checking memes.

See where I’m going with this?

A teacher’s role isn’t just to explain grammar rules or assign exercises. A teacher is, in a way, a guide — a structure-builder, a path-setter, a gentle (or not-so-gentle) supervisor.
When you know you have a class every Monday and Thursday, you’ll probably try to get your homework done — even if it’s rushed and messy. Sure, you might still show up unprepared. And no, your teacher won’t whip you. But let’s be honest — just knowing that someone will look you in the eye and ask, 'Did you do your homework?' is usually enough to make you do something.

Now contrast that with studying using ChatGPT.

You won’t feel even a flicker of guilt for skipping your homework.
In fact, ChatGPT will praise you for doing the bare minimum.
Open it once a month for five minutes? “Great job! You’re doing amazing!”
Because flattery is hardcoded into its system.

That’s why I believe the number of people who can actually learn a language completely on their own using AI is vanishingly small.

Most of us need to feel accountable. We need to know that someone out there cares about our progress and is waiting to see results.

So no, I don’t think we, real-life language teachers, are going anywhere just yet.
But what about you?
Do you agree? Disagree?
Maybe you have a totally different take?
I’d love to hear it — seriously.