AI News Monitor

On the International Day of Education, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical role of education as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for individual and societal growth. In his message, he underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education while warning of its associated risks.

“Education is an essential building block for every person to reach their full potential, and for societies and economies to grow and flourish,” Mr. Guterres stated. He acknowledged that AI and other technological advancements can revolutionize learning by providing students and teachers with unprecedented access to information and innovative tools. However, he cautioned that the rapid evolution of AI also poses significant challenges, particularly when human intentions and machine-driven outcomes diverge.

UNESCO, the UN’s education and culture agency, dedicated this year’s observance to exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI in education. Director-General Audrey Azoulay called for increased investment in training teachers and students to ensure AI is used responsibly. “AI offers major opportunities, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles,” she said. “To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them.”

Mr. Guterres stressed the importance of keeping human rights at the heart of AI development, urging guarantees that all users have the tools and knowledge to use AI ethically and safely. UNESCO’s Competency Frameworks and the recently adopted Global Digital Compact aim to support learners and educators while ensuring humanity retains control over AI governance.

Despite AI’s growing integration into education, global divisions persist. UNESCO data reveals that over two-thirds of secondary school students in high-income countries use generative AI tools for schoolwork. However, only 10% of educational institutions have formal guidelines for AI use, highlighting a significant gap in policy implementation. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of countries have implemented restrictions on mobile phones in schools, up from 24% in 2023.

The International Day of Education also serves as a reminder that millions of children worldwide remain out of school due to factors such as gender, location, and conflict. UNESCO reports that 251 million children and youth are still excluded from education, despite decades of progress. Additionally, violence in schools remains a pressing issue, with one in three learners experiencing physical attacks and one in ten facing cyberbullying.

As the world navigates the dual promise and peril of AI in education, Mr. Guterres called for a renewed commitment to keeping humanity at the center of learning systems. “Unlocking AI’s potential depends on ensuring human agency and human rights remain at the heart of this rapidly evolving technology,” he concluded.

For more insights, listen to UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education Farida Shaheed’s discussion on AI’s role in schools and its challenges in a recent UN News interview.