This article reflects on the transformative impact of generative AI (GenAI) tools on teaching and teacher education, both in the present and the future. It emphasizes the need for a dual-lens approach: focusing on immediate practical applications and designing effective learning experiences for teachers, while also considering long-term sociological and historical trends that will influence the socio-techno-cultural matrix of education. The article begins with an introduction to GenAI technologies, highlighting their rapid adoption and potential to challenge traditional conceptions of creativity and learning. It discusses the unique characteristics of GenAI, such as their generative and social nature, and their implications for teacher education and research. The authors argue that while GenAI offers unprecedented potential, it also requires a thoughtful and collaborative approach to ensure that these tools benefit learners and educators.This article reflects on the transformative impact of generative AI (GenAI) tools on teaching and teacher education, both in the present and the future. It emphasizes the need for a dual-lens approach: focusing on immediate practical applications and designing effective learning experiences for teachers, while also considering long-term sociological and historical trends that will influence the socio-techno-cultural matrix of education. The article begins with an introduction to GenAI technologies, highlighting their rapid adoption and potential to challenge traditional conceptions of creativity and learning. It discusses the unique characteristics of GenAI, such as their generative and social nature, and their implications for teacher education and research. The authors argue that while GenAI offers unprecedented potential, it also requires a thoughtful and collaborative approach to ensure that these tools benefit learners and educators.