The Creativity of Islamic Boarding School Teachers in Combining Tradition and Technology: The Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Learning Innovation for Students

Abstrak

he development of digital technology presents challenges as well as opportunities for the world of education, including in the pesantren environment. As an institution known for maintaining Islamic scientific traditions, Islamic boarding schools are required to adapt without losing their original values. This study, conducted in 2025, aims to describe the creativity of pesantren teachers in combining classical learning traditions with the use of modern technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), as a learning innovation for students. This research approach uses a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques through interviews, observations, and documentation of several teachers who have applied AI technology in the teaching and learning process. The results of the study show that pesantren teachers are able to integrate traditional values such as talaqqi, memorization, and yellow book discussions with AI-based technology to enrich the learning experience of students. The use of AI not only increases learning effectiveness, but also fosters the spirit of independent and creative learning among students. In addition, this study offers an original contribution to Islamic education in Indonesia by providing a practical and contextual model for integrating AI within pesantren settings, which can be adopted by similar institutions seeking balanced and value-based technological adaptation. The creativity of teachers in combining tradition and technology is a tangible manifestation of the moderation of pesantren education in the digital era.