UNESCO dedicates 2025 Education Day to artificial intelligence

UNESCO has dedicated International Education Day 2025 to artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing its potential to enhance education while addressing ethical challenges.

Director-General Audrey Azoulay is urging member states to equip teachers and students with the skills for responsible AI use.

AI has transformative potential in education but must complement the human and social aspects of learning, Azoulay emphasized, adding that its deployment should prioritize the autonomy and well-being of teachers and students.

Globally, AI use in education is rising. In high-income countries, over two-thirds of secondary students use generative AI for schoolwork, while teachers increasingly rely on it for lesson planning and assessments.

Despite this growth, only 10% of educational institutions have formal AI guidelines, and just 15 countries include AI training in their curricula.

UNESCO has initiated discussions, including conferences in Paris and New York, and released resources like AI competency frameworks for teachers and students.

The organization advocates for AI policies that prioritize equity and ethical use while maintaining investments in basic education infrastructure, as 25% of primary schools lack electricity and 60% lack internet access.

UNESCO calls for AI to remain a tool that enhances education rather than replacing essential human roles.