In his message, the Secretary-General highlighted the dual nature of advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), saying that in addition to the unprecedented capabilities they present, they also present many risks.
The Secretary-General said, “Education is a building block essential for every individual to reach his or her full potential and for the growth and development of society and the economy.
The potential and risks of AI
The UN Secretary-General stressed that AI and other technological innovations can help students and teachers by providing wider access to information and modern learning tools.
But, he warned, “Along with these myriad benefits, AI also brings some serious risks. As AI-powered systems become more powerful, machines can create harmful effects that are out of sync with the intended benefits of humans.
This year, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization, dedicated International Education Day to the opportunities and challenges associated with AI.
UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay called for more investment in training teachers and students for its responsible use.
Audrey Azoulay said, “AI offers countless opportunities, if it is embedded in schools under clear ethical principles. To realize its full potential, technology must align with, not replace, the human and social dimensions of education.
AI based on human rights
This year, the day reminds us that harnessing the potential of AI “depends on putting fundamental humanity and human rights at the center of this rapidly changing technology,” said the UN secretary-general.
He said it was important to guarantee that all users had the appropriate tools and knowledge to use this technology “in an efficient, safe and ethical way”.
UNESCO’s Competency Framework to integrate AI into learning to empower students and teachers, and the recently adopted Global Digital Compact will help ensure that humanity is in control of the development and governance of AI.
Concluding his message, Secretary-General Guterres called for a commitment to “focus education systems everywhere on humanity.”
Section on AI
As AI becomes more connected to education, countries are divided over its use. According to the latest data from UNESCO, more than a third of secondary school students in high-income countries are already using generative AI tools for their schoolwork.
However, a major challenge is that education professionals have no clear guidance on this matter.
A UNESCO survey of 450 educational institutions in May 2023 found that only 10 percent of schools and universities have an official framework for using AI.
New data from UNESCO indicates that nearly 40 percent of countries have implemented laws or policies banning mobile phones in schools, a significant increase from 24 percent in July 2023.
To learn more, listen to a UN News interview with Farida Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education. In a recent interview, he discussed the role and challenges of AI in schools.
Access to education
This International Day reminds us that access to high-quality education is a human right, which not only benefits individuals but improves communities as a whole. Yet, millions of children do not attend school for various reasons such as gender, location, social background or conflict.
Despite decades of educational progress and international commitments, the latest figures from UNESCO show that 250 million children and youth are out of school around the world.
Safe and contained
In a recent study, UNESCO reported that nearly one in three students had been physically bullied at least once during their school year, and one in ten had been cyber-bullied.
So many children around the world are exposed to violence in and out of school with consequences that can be devastating. This can have a serious impact on student well-being, learning outcomes and quality of life in particular.
Gathering young people’s views on ways to make schools safer. here click on