In his speech, he highlighted the dual nature of technological advances such as AI which offer both great potential and considerable risks.
“Education is an essential component for everyone to realize their full potential, and for socioeconomic development and prosperity,” said Mr. Guterres.
The promise and risks of AI
The UN Secretary-General stressed that AI and other technological innovations can greatly help students and teachers by providing access to broader information and advanced learning tools.
“But great rewards come with great risks. As AI-driven systems become increasingly powerful, it is easy for human intentions and machine-driven influences to go astray,” he added.
This year, UNESCO, the United Nations educational and cultural agency, dedicated a day to explore the opportunities and challenges of AI
Director-General Audrey Azoulay called for greater investment in teacher and student training so that funds can be used responsibly.
“AI offers major opportunities, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To realize its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, not replace them,” said Mr. Azoulay.
Human rights at the heart of AI
This year’s AI Day reminds us that unlocking the potential of AI “depends on putting human agency and human rights at the heart of this rapidly evolving technology,” the UN Secretary-General stressed, calling for guarantees that all users have the right tools and knowledge to “use this technology wisely, safely and ethically.”
UNESCO’s competency framework aims to support learners and teachers in integrating AI into their learning, while the recently adopted Global Digital Compact is expected to help ensure that humans retain control over AI development and governance.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Guterres called for a commitment to “put the humanities at the heart of education systems around the world.”
Divided views onAI
As AI is increasingly integrated into education, countries remain divided over its use. According to the latest data from UNESCO, more than two-thirds of secondary school students in high-income countries are already using generative AI tools to support their learning.
However, education professionals still face significant challenges and a lack of clear guidelines.
In May 2023, a UNESCO survey of 450 educational institutions showed that only 10% of schools and universities had an official framework for the use of AI
Meanwhile, more countries are imposing restrictions on new technologies in the classroom. The latest data from UNESCO shows that nearly 40% of countries now have laws or policies prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools, a significant increase from 24% in July 2023.
For more insights, listen to Farida Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education, discuss the role of AI in schools and the challenges it presents in a recent interview with UN News.