Artificial intelligence (AI) makes exponential progresses leading to enthusiasm and but questions regarding its control and use. Education by and in favour of AI has then become a key issue and countries now have to think about reforming their school systems.
According to the numbers of the GoStudent institute via a 2024 survey about the future of education, 60% of a European population (5581 parents, guardians and children) believe in the educative potential of IA. There is a clear consensus about the need to update pedagogical approaches in our school systems. In that context, the use of IA seems to be a major asset in assisting teachers, parents and students in their respective tasks and support schools to help them to do the transition. Moreover, AI does not only represent a practical issue, but also a competitive one between states who more or less recognise its pedagogical efficiency and its potential but still stay suspicious. The high media coverage motivates students to want to know more about the different tools and how to use them, mote than half of individuals between 10 and 16, according to the same survey.
During the recent Artificial Intelligence Action Summit which took place in France at the beginning of February 2025, 61 countries excluding the USA and the UK have agreed for an “open”, “inclusive” and “ethical” technology, highlighting its increasing importance. The French Minister of Education, Elizabeth Borne talked about the key points of the integration of IA in education. She put an emphasis on the issues of transparency and respect of users’ private life, all within an international collaboration framework aiming for a sustainable and ethical integration of AI within the educational system.
The UK government refused to sign the agreement because of concerns about “national security” and "global governance."
Concretely, this innovation promises a precious help to students. It enables them to learn independently and focus on their weaknesses more easily. The headmaster of a high school in Rome is convinced that IA can be a factor in reducing the rate of dropping out students. This initiative is actually encouraged by the Italian Minister of Education who considers the use of IA in schools as a determining factor on the job market that students will soon join. The latter’s reasoning is based on aligning technological supply with ever-increasing demand. On the other hand, teachers and education system staff would see their tasks lightened and could therefore focus more on specific issues. The experiment led by the Académie de Lyon (France) on the management agents demonstrates that.
However, AI has a darker side which represents important issues in its integration in school systems. The survey conducted by Le Sphinx highlights the use of the American IA ChatGPT and its massive use by students. 55% of them stated that they use it, at least occasionally to cheat. Moreover, it is essential to ensure a total equity between students and train students and teachers to avoid any inequality. To finish with, testing, transparency and data protection are major challenges starting to use these tools in schools has to be meticulously controlled.
Nevertheless, after the adoption in 2019, of a recommendation on developing and promoting digital citizenship education by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, the Council recognises the threats of IA and demand to take into account human rights in the conception of its applications.
By MARCILLAUD Ulysse & GALES Nils
Translated by Nina Thevenet
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