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AI is already reshaping education, opening doors to enhanced teaching, learning, and research. Yet, a UNESCO survey from 2023 revealed that only 10% of schools and universities worldwide have established frameworks for the responsible use of AI. 

This highlights the need for action to ensure AI is integrated into education in ways that are safe, ethical, and inclusive. For over a decade, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ championed ethical and inclusive AI practices. The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021) laid the foundation for ethical AI governance. Building on this, (2023) and the development of AI Competency Frameworks for Students and Teachers (2024) have provided useful frameworks and tools to support Member States in responsibly integrating AI into education systems. 

Eastern Africa has made notable strides in leveraging AI for education, demonstrating a regional commitment to addressing both the opportunities and challenges it presents. Mauritius, as the first African country to adopt a National AI Strategy in 2018, continues to build on its achievements through a review informed by UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology. Kenya and Rwanda have also launched their National AI Strategy, putting an emphasis on the 21st Century Skills and High AI Literacy. Tanzania’s upcoming National Digital Education Strategy further demonstrates the region’s progress in integrating AI into education. 

In June 2024, Eastern African Member States gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, and launched the during the Eastern Africa sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence, co-organized by UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the Government of Kenya. It reaffirms the ethical and responsible use of AI in education, with a focus on capacity-building for teachers and learners and the integration of AI literacy into national education strategies.

The transformative potential of AI is perhaps most evident in its impact on young people, who make up 60% of the sub-Saharan African population. UNESCO’s vision for AI in education places youth at heart, empowering them to shape their futures. In 2024, UNESCO and partners organized an AI Hackathon in Kenya to advance Assistive Technologies for Special Needs Education. By developing AI solutions to support learners with special needs, this hackathon demonstrated how technology can promote equitable access to quality and inclusive education while fostering creativity and empowerment among young innovators.

UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to supporting Member States in leveraging AI to accelerate progress toward inclusive, equitable, and quality education. The Organization's Director-General Audrey Azoulay calls on Member States to invest in training both teachers and students on the responsible use of AI within the field of education. Let this day ignite collective action to harness AI for the common good, driving progress toward achieving SDG4 and ensuring that no one is left behind in an increasingly automated world. 

• Explore the celebration of International Day of Education around the world here.