Artificial Intelligence and Education

The Council of Europe is an international organization focused on promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. This thorough 108-page report was authored by a team of experts from universities, non-profits and intergovernmental organizations. It examines the major connections between AI and education, surfacing key opportunities as well as risks and challenges that must be addressed.

Three main intersections of AI and education are explored: learning with AI, using AI to learn about learning, and learning about AI. Learning with AI refers to the use of AI tools and applications in the classroom and in education systems. This includes AI tutoring systems, automatic essay grading tools, education robots and more that are intended to support learners and teachers. Using AI to learn about learning involves applying AI techniques like data mining and learning analytics to gather insights about learning processes. Learning about AI focuses on building students’ and citizens’ literacy and understanding of AI itself.

While AI offers the potential to enhance and empower education, the report emphasizes that we must be cautious and critical. Most AI learning tools rely on simplistic pedagogical approaches rather than promoting deeper learning and critical thinking. There is also a lack of rigorous, independent evidence demonstrating the impacts of AI in real classrooms. Massive data collection and profiling enabled by AI systems raises significant risks related to student privacy and agency. Biases embedded in algorithms and lack of transparency around how AI systems work are additional areas of concern.

Through in-depth analysis, the report highlights how the use of AI in education intersects with issues of human rights, democracy and rule of law. Students’ rights to privacy, non-discrimination, consent and protection from exploitation must be safeguarded. Democratic values of inclusion, equity and participation should help guide the use of AI in public education. And legal frameworks as well as public oversight are needed to ensure AI is deployed responsibly and ethically.

Looking ahead, the authors underline the need for more research, evidence-based policies, and multi-stakeholder collaboration when introducing AI in education. Curricula must evolve to help both students and teachers develop AI literacy encompassing technical dimensions and human impacts. Only through a thoughtful, holistic and human-centered approach can we harness the power of AI to truly augment - not replace - human teachers and enhance the potentials of all learners.

The Council of Europe's thorough and thought-provoking analysis comes at a critical juncture, as AI proliferates rapidly in schools and learning environments around the world. This report offers an important contribution, sounding a call to carefully consider values of human rights, equity and ethics as AI becomes further embedded in education. It emphasizes that ultimately, AI should empower learners and teachers rather than overpower them. The insights and guidance in "Artificial Intelligence and Education" provide a strong base for policymakers, educators and developers to build a thoughtful path forward for AI in service of learning.