Learning in the age of AI:
What’s really changing for teachers and systems?
@GlobalEdTechHub edtechhub.org
Alice Carter,
Innovation Lead
EdTech Hub &
AI Observatory
Ciku Mbugua,
Kenya Country Lead
EdTech Hub
AI in education will widen the learning divide unless we design for the alternative now
Our approach: a cycle of observation and action
Observatory
Where we listen, learn and spot patterns
Action Lab
Where we experiment, adapt and learn �by doing
1. Horizon scan and synthesise insight
3. Test ideas to learn what works (and doesn’t)
2. Surface evidence informed ideas worth testing
4. Generate evidence about what works
2
4
3
1
5
5. Sensemaking, �guidance & engagement bringing together practical and tailored insights for decision-makers
How are you responding to this moment?
Curious optimists People can imagine the huge potential �but are just skimming the surface when it comes �to AI & education and fear uneven adoption could �lead to lost potential or unintended negative consequences. | Ambitious accelerators People feel like AI’s potential is huge and they’re� eager to move forward and are swept by the hype, but they are are aware that going too fast might �lead to strategic and ethical gaps and unintended negative consequences. |
Thoughtful realists People recognise AI’s transformative potential �but also the recurring challenges from past �EdTech trends—they want to shape AI adoption thoughtfully but systemic inertia is slowing things down with deliberation and not enough action causing them to miss the moment. | Overwhelmed observers People feel like they are chasing their tail and �they can’t keep pace with AI’s evolution, leading �to uncertainty and hesitation/nervousness in how �to engage and trying to keep up but feeling left behind. |
Caution & overwhelm
Optimism & confidence
Perspective & agency
Speed of their response
Too slow
Too fast
1
Where are we headed?
We use horizon scanning to detect early signs of change
Signals
Early emerging changes and developments within a system, which can fade into nothing.
Trends
Observable, measurable patterns �of change within a system.
Drivers
Underlying, systemic forces which influence change across systems.
Horizon scanning
Horizon scanning is "a technique for detecting early signs of potentially important developments through a systematic examination of potential threats and opportunities, with emphasis on new technology and its effects �on the issue at hand.” 1
1. OECD, Horizon scanning and foresight methods, (2020). 2. Diagram adapted from Lane & Randall, (2025), Firetail.
Three Horizons
Horizon 3: radical new visions �of the future that exist in the fringes today compete to be �the future dominant system.
Transform: education �is designed for a world �where AI is a part of life
Horizon 2: turbulent space of innovation & experimentation �as society shifts from the status quo to a new paradigm
Disrupt: scaling and change become embedded in �education systems
Horizon 1: current dominant system where change happens incrementally �within existing structures.
Upgrade: early integration �of AI into existing education systems
Now
Future
Three Horizons
What this means for education
2
How can we narrow the learning divide?
6 North Stars and where they guide us
Each North Star marks a key leverage point where change is needed in order to narrow the learning divide in the age of AI. Progress will come from working across the wider system, staying adaptable, and responding to the realities of different contexts and cultures.
Student
1. Enabled learners
Teacher
2. Empowered teachers
System
3. Efficient bureaucracy
4. Aligned partnerships
5. Context-driven solutions
6. Renewed purpose � of learning
A map of in the age of AI
System
3. Efficient bureaucracy
4. Aligned partnerships
5. Context-driven � solutions
6. Renewed purpose� of learning
Teacher
2. Empowered teachers
Reform curricula to help students adapt to new ways of working, ensuring they can collaborate, solve problems, and use AI in their lives and careers.
Help teachers build more engaging, adaptive learning experiences, ensuring no student is left behind.
Connected, automated government to overcome staff gaps and gain efficiency and learning
Establish open, decentralized AI-powered learning networks.
Leapfrog the global status quo by breaking out of outdated education models
Re-imagine the purpose and ways of learning �in the age of AI with the foresight to �do things differently from previous tech �waves (social media).
Student
1. Enabled learners
Shape AI as a tool for critical thinking and creativity, not just an ‘answer machine’.
Deliver training to shift teachers from uncertainty to adoption of new tools and methods.
Use AI to enhance education in the classroom, making it more efficient for learners and teachers
Establish policies and programmes that enable other stakeholders to use and implement AI in education.
Embed technology end-to-end, ensuring alignment between curriculum, assessments, and teacher support.
Create practical ways to use AI to enhance learning outcomes measured through evaluation and assessment.
Upgrade
Disrupt
Transform
Reform curricula to include AI literacy, learning not just how to use AI, but how to question, shape, and co-create with it.
Co-design tools with teachers, ensuring they are shaped by real teaching and learning needs
Optimise ‘behind the scenes’ tasks at every level of the education system
Move from one-off partnerships to structured, long-term alliances between governments, industry, and academia.
Co-design solutions that align with education priorities and ethics
Plan intentionally for AI to contribute to long-term improvements in student learning rather than short-term acceleration.
potential initiatives to narrow the learning divide
early integration of AI into existing education systems
education is designed for a world �where AI is a part of life
scaling and change become embedded in education systems
A map of in the age of AI
System
3. Efficient bureaucracy
4. Aligned partnerships
5. Context-driven � solutions
6. Renewed purpose� of learning
Teacher
2. Empowered teachers
Reform curricula to help students adapt to new ways of working, ensuring they can collaborate, solve problems, and use AI in their lives and careers.
Help teachers build more engaging, adaptive learning experiences, ensuring no student is left behind.
Connected, automated government to overcome staff gaps and gain efficiency and learning
Establish open, decentralized AI-powered learning networks.
Leapfrog the global status quo by breaking out of outdated education models
Re-imagine the purpose and ways of learning �in the age of AI with the foresight to �do things differently from previous tech �waves (social media).
Student
1. Enabled learners
Shape AI as a tool for critical thinking and creativity, not just an ‘answer machine’.
Deliver training to shift teachers from uncertainty to adoption of new tools and methods.
Use AI to enhance education in the classroom, making it more efficient for learners and teachers
Establish policies and programmes that enable other stakeholders to use and implement AI in education.
Embed technology end-to-end, ensuring alignment between curriculum, assessments, and teacher support.
Create practical ways to use AI to enhance learning outcomes measured through evaluation and assessment.
Upgrade
Disrupt
Transform
Reform curricula to include AI literacy, learning not just how to use AI, but how to question, shape, and co-create with it.
Co-design tools with teachers, ensuring they are shaped by real teaching and learning needs
Optimise ‘behind the scenes’ tasks at every level of the education system
Move from one-off partnerships to structured, long-term alliances between governments, industry, and academia.
Co-design solutions that align with education priorities and ethics
Plan intentionally for AI to contribute to long-term improvements in student learning rather than short-term acceleration.
potential initiatives to narrow the learning divide
early integration of AI into existing education systems
education is designed for a world �where AI is a part of life
Through a selection process, we have prioritised the first two Action Lab initiatives from the map: “Ministry of Education AI Challenge” and “Teacher-in-the-Loop” Sandboxes & Surveys, supported by FCDO
scaling and change become embedded in education systems
3
What’s changing so far?
81% of teachers say they are currently using AI in their teaching
Currently using AI in teaching
Frequency of AI tool use
Share of respondents who answered
1. Research and information gathering: 43% of teachers who provided a use case, said they use AI as a research tool to quickly gather information, define words, and enrich their content knowledge.
"exploring meaning of words, pronunciation," "AI browsers for surfing the net," "quick research and comparing research.”
2. Lesson planning: 39% of teachers reported using AI for lesson planning.
"ChatGPT for lesson planning and lesson teaching notes," "Generate CBC-aligned lesson plans, schemes of work, and assessment rubrics," "ChartGBT for research."
3. Direct instruction: 21% teachers said they use AI as an instant resource to help answer student questions accurately.
"learners understand more," "easen learners understanding of concepts," "quicker answers and variety of answers."
4. Content generation: Several reported using AI to generate classroom materials, from illustrations to animation.
“Creating illustrations for stories in English or Kiswahili.”
Top use cases for teachers
Use cases mentioned
Share of respondents who answered
1. A tool for deeper understanding: Teachers wish for an AI that can function as a direct instructional aide for students, helping to explain difficult concepts.
“give explanation on certain area”, “It can help us by knowing better”, “To easen learners understanding of concepts by teaching and guiding them more than the teacher”, “teach critical thinking”
2. Prerequisite: Access to resources & training: A wish for the infrastructure and training required to use AI.
“Presence of power through out”, “Computers or laptops and printer”, “Am still struggling to understand the meaning of AI”.
3. A partner for professional development: Teachers express a desire for AI guiding them toward better, more effective teaching methodologies.
“guide me on how to improve in my teaching methodologies”, “improve on teaching methodology and give real examples”.
4. Improve content & templates: Teachers want AI to help them create customized, visually appealing learning materials that resonate with their students' environment.
“Create images and videos for learning that learners can relate to according to their environment.”
Unmet needs for teachers
Unmet need
Share of respondents who answered
Note: Categories on x-axis represent common themes identified from open-ended responses and were not pre-selected options in the survey.
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@GlobalEdTechHub edtechhub.org