International Day of Education: AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.
On January 24, 2025, the global community observed the UN International Day of Education under the theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” This theme underscores the critical need to balance the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings with the preservation of human autonomy and decision-making.
AI has the potential to revolutionise education by offering personalised learning experiences, automating administrative tasks, and providing access to vast information resources. However, as AI systems become more sophisticated, the line between human intention and machine-driven action can blur, raising concerns about maintaining human agency in learning processes. Click here for the Secretary-General’s message
Traditionally, education has celebrated good recall—the ability to memorise and reproduce information. While this skill remains valuable, the advent of AI necessitates a shift towards fostering critical thinking and fact-checking abilities. In an era where AI can generate content and provide answers, the role of educators and learners should evolve to focus on evaluating the validity of information, discerning biases, and making informed decisions. The old adage “garbage in, garbage out” remains pertinent; AI systems are only as reliable as the data they are trained on, and without human oversight, they can perpetuate misinformation.
To harness AI’s benefits while preserving human agency, education systems must adapt in the following ways:
- Curriculum Development: Integrate AI literacy into curricula to help students understand the capabilities and limitations of AI, enabling them to use these tools responsibly.
- Critical Thinking Emphasis: Prioritise teaching methods that encourage analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information over rote learning.
- Ethical Considerations: Educate students on the ethical implications of AI, including issues related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the societal impacts of automation.
- Lifelong Learning: Promote continuous learning to equip individuals with the skills needed to adapt to evolving technologies and job landscapes.
By embracing these strategies, education can evolve alongside AI advancements, ensuring that technology serves as a tool to enhance human potential rather than diminish it. As we navigate this automated world, it is imperative that education systems respect the presence of AI and develop in tandem with it, fostering a harmonious relationship between human learners and intelligent machines.
