World Economic Forum Calls for AI-Ready Education Systems to Protect Children’s Learning
The World Economic Forum has urged education systems to be more intentional about preparing for the swift adoption of AI, cautioning that technology must enhance human learning, not replace it, while also supporting equity and trust.
The call is included in the Forum’s new publication, Shaping the Future of Learning: Education Readiness for the Age of AI, which explores the impact of AI on the learning process, information access and skill development.
The World Economic Forum says that the use of AI in classrooms offers opportunities and risks. The technology has the potential to transform learning experiences and increase access to knowledge, but the organisation believes that education systems must have the appropriate safeguards to ensure that technological innovation is learner-centred.
The report presents an AI Readiness Framework to help policymakers, educators, schools, technology providers and communities determine if they are ready for responsible AI use in education.
The framework takes into account areas such as governance, digital infrastructure, teaching methods, assessment and learner experiences. It also underscores the importance of safeguarding cognitive development, academic honesty and human relationships in the context of AI’s increasing presence in learning.
The conversation is especially relevant for children and young people, who are growing up in an era where AI is becoming a fundamental part of their learning, information-seeking, and academic work. The Forum’s framework focuses on the importance of technological development not being at the cost of meaningful learning and healthy development.
The publication also argues that education systems cannot be “prepared” for AI simply with technology. Policies, infrastructure, teaching methods, and safeguards are needed to ensure that institutions can leverage AI to enhance learning without losing the human touch.
The publication by the World Economic Forum thus presents AI readiness as an education-system challenge, one that calls for coordinated action from governments, schools, educators, technology companies, families and communities.
