AI in the Classroom: UNESCO Stresses Need for Additional Funding, Not Substitution

UNESCO Highlights Importance of Ethical AI Use in Schools, Sets Age Limit for Use

UNESCO, with 194 Member States, promotes peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, communication, and information. Headquartered in Paris, it operates in 54 countries, employing over 2,300 people. The organization oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks, alongside networks of Creative, Learning, and Sustainable Cities, and over 13,000 associated institutions. Audrey Azoulay is the Director-General.

The Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized that AI presents significant education opportunities but must be guided by ethical principles. AI should complement, not replace, the human and social aspects of learning, supporting the autonomy and well-being of teachers and students. To foster global dialogue, the organisation will dedicate the 2025 International Day of Education to AI, with conferences in Paris and New York and a webinar. AI is becoming more prevalent in education, with over two-thirds of secondary students in high-income countries using generative AI for schoolwork. Teachers are also using AI for lesson preparation and student assessments, while AI increasingly influences school guidance and admissions, traditionally handled by teachers and experts.

A UNESCO survey of 450 institutions in May 2023 found that only 10% of schools and universities have official AI frameworks. By 2022, only 7 countries had AI programs for teachers, and 15 included AI in their curricula. Meanwhile, more countries are imposing restrictions on new technologies in classrooms, with nearly 40% now banning mobile phones, up from 24% in July 2023. The organisation has been addressing AI challenges for nearly a decade and, in November 2021, its Member States adopted the first global framework on AI ethics.

In September 2023, it published the first-ever Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research. Two AI competency frameworks for students and teachers will be released in 2024, focusing on the safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsible use of AI. The guidelines also recommend setting an age limit of 13 for AI use in classrooms. The UN agency emphasized that AI funding should be additional to, not replace, existing education budgets, highlighting that 1 in 4 primary schools lacks electricity and 60% are not internet-connected. It stressed that priorities must include well-managed schools, trained teachers, and adequate teacher compensation, with motivation driven by their mission.

UNESCO is committed to guiding the ethical use of AI in education while ensuring it complements human values and addressing fundamental educational needs such as access to resources and trained teachers.

Editor's Note:

UNESCO is leading the charge to ensure that AI is used ethically and inclusively in education as it becomes more prevalent. AI has the potential to improve educational experiences by personalizing learning and streamlining administrative tasks. However, the organisation emphasizes that AI should not replace human interaction, collaboration, and critical thinking, which are essential aspects of education. Instead, AI should be used as a tool to empower teachers and students, promoting autonomy and well-being. AI must be used responsibly, ensuring that it addresses both the opportunities and risks while upholding ethical principles and prioritizing the needs of under-resourced educational systems. UNESCO plays a key role in shaping global discourse and establishing frameworks. 

Skoobuzz believes prioritizing human connection and ethical practices is essential to harnessing AI's potential for positive change in education.