Governments and education systems across the world are moving quickly to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms, driven largely by partnerships with major technology companies.
In early November, Microsoft announced plans to provide AI tools and training to more than 200,000 students and educators in the United Arab Emirates. Soon after, a financial services company in Kazakhstan revealed an agreement with OpenAI to offer ChatGPT Edu to 165,000 educators across the country. Last month, xAI, founded by Elon Musk, shared plans to build an AI tutoring system using its Grok chatbot for more than 1 million students in schools across El Salvador.
Supporters argue that AI chatbots can help teachers save time, personalise lessons and prepare students for an AI driven economy. These tools can write emails, create quizzes, analyse data and generate computer code, which some technology leaders see as a major benefit for education.
However, concerns are growing about the possible impact on children. A recent study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University found that popular AI chatbots may weaken critical thinking. Educators have also reported cases of AI assisted cheating, while children’s and health groups warn about risks to development and well being.
UNICEF has urged caution, pointing to earlier technology driven education efforts that failed to deliver results. “With One Laptop per Child, the fallouts included wasted expenditure and poor learning outcomes,” wrote Steven Vosloo, a digital policy specialist at UNICEF. “Unguided use of AI systems may actively de skill students and teachers.”
In the United States, several large school districts have already introduced AI tools. Miami Dade County Public Schools rolled out Google’s Gemini chatbot for more than 100,000 high school students, while Broward County Public Schools introduced Microsoft’s Copilot for thousands of teachers and staff.
Globally, Microsoft partnered with Thailand’s education ministry to provide AI lessons for hundreds of thousands of students and training for 150,000 teachers. OpenAI has pledged to make ChatGPT available to teachers in government schools across India.
Estonia has taken a more structured approach with its national “AI Leap” programme. The initiative focuses on teaching students and educators about the uses, limits and risks of AI. “It’s critical AI literacy,” said Ivo Visak of the AI Leap Foundation. “These tools can be useful but at the same time these tools can do a lot of harm.”
Iceland has also launched a national pilot, allowing teachers to test chatbots while researchers study their impact. Students are not yet involved due to concerns about over reliance on AI.
Experts say more evidence is needed. “We’re at a point now where we need to make sure that these things are backed by outcomes,” said Drew Bent of Anthropic.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
