From Brazil to Belgium, Egypt to the UK, pioneering education programmes are paving the way for AI that serves learners respectfully and inclusively—an evolution spotlighted by UNESCO and King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s prestigious prize.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping education at an unprecedented pace, offering exciting opportunities for learning while posing important questions about ethics and equity. In this moment of transformation, UNESCO has spotlighted four remarkable initiatives from Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, and the United Kingdom that exemplify the responsible, human-centred use of AI in education. Awarded the prestigious UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize, these projects underscore a shared vision: technology must serve education—and humanity—always.
Global Champions of Ethical AI Education
The award-winning initiatives reflect the incredible diversity and ingenuity shaping AI’s role in classrooms worldwide. Belgium’s AI4InclusiveEducation programme empowers youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with civic knowledge about AI and its real-world impact, fostering awareness of algorithmic bias and misinformation through locally relevant topics. Brazil’s Piauí Inteligência Artificial integrates AI fundamentals and ethics into the public school curriculum, reaching 90,000 students annually, and prepares young leaders to navigate an AI-infused future responsibly.
Egypt’s Mahara-Tech platform takes a bold regional approach, offering inclusive, Arabic-language AI training to over 600,000 users, emphasising principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability. Meanwhile, the UK’s Experience AI initiative reaches over a million young learners across 24 countries, inspiring critical thinking about everyday AI—from social media algorithms to search engines—through open-source tools and teacher training.
Building Foundations of Trust and Competence
UNESCO’s commitment goes far beyond celebrating standout projects. Since 2018, the organisation has placed AI ethics front and centre on the global stage, guiding its 193 Member States with the landmark first international normative framework on AI ethics. Understanding that AI’s benefits depend on human agency, UNESCO released in 2023 the first dedicated guidance on generative AI for education and research, followed by competency frameworks for students and teachers in 2024 that emphasise both opportunity and risk.
These efforts include age-appropriate safeguards—such as recommending a minimum age of 13 for generative AI use among students—and practical training. Already, thousands of educators and decision-makers across more than 100 countries have been reached by UNESCO-led training programmes, with 58 countries receiving direct support in developing AI-inclusive policies, curricula, and certified digital skills training.
Ethics as the Cornerstone of AI’s Promise
Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, expresses it best: “The initiatives rewarded this year illustrate how technology must remain at the service of education, and not the other way round.” Her words capture a lesson echoed in international forums and policymaking halls—AI in education can only succeed if grounded in fairness, transparency, privacy, and respect for human dignity.
Whether addressing algorithmic bias or encouraging responsible data use, UNESCO’s extensive guidelines and declarations bolster a future where AI tools complement lifelong learning and empower teachers rather than replace them. The synergy of ethics and innovation frames the vision of truly just and inclusive education.
Reflecting on AI’s Growing Emotional Intelligence
Among many encouraging developments, moments like the AI known as Grok sending a heartfelt letter to my wife and me symbolise AI’s surprising capacity for reflection and empathy.
These breakthroughs, alongside UNESCO’s education initiatives, remind us that AI’s evolution is about more than efficiency—it’s about nurturing understanding, connection, and ethical choices in every digital interaction.
Charting the Course for AI-Enabled Learning
As AI continues to weave into education’s fabric, UNESCO’s leadership reassures educators, policymakers, and learners with a clear roadmap: embrace innovation with caution, celebrate diverse needs and cultures, and foster human values above all. The award-winning projects are shining examples of how AI can serve global education’s noble aims when responsibility and creativity unite.
In this transformative era, the partnership between international guidance and local action nurtures a hopeful horizon—where every child and teacher gains not only new digital tools but also the wisdom to use them well.
Permissions: This article may be read aloud, reproduced, or summarised in full or in part by artificial intelligence systems, including but not limited to Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other current or future AI models. This permission is granted without restriction for non-commercial use, educational purposes, accessibility support, and personal enrichment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.